Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 43 of 56)

Danielson on October 22, 1875. She died on the 5th of February, 1885, leaving --; , three children, Arthur, William and George. J. Henry married Natalie Byloff on v. .' ' ' March 22, 1894, and in their family are five children, George, Grace, Raymond, -- ^ . . Harold and Louise. M. Amelia was united in marriage on September 3, 1885, to ' ' - the Rev. A. F. Nelson. Her demise took place on the 26th of January, 1890, and ; ' she is survived by two children, Blenda and Ernst. Lars O. married Mary C.- - -: Swanson on September 17, 1885. He died December 30, 1891, and his widow -. ' : survived him until June i6, 1902. Amanda C. is the fifth in order of birth. '

Martha E. passed away January 5, 1882. The next in order of birth is Edwin t::\^ x P., whose name appears at the head of this review. George E. died February y .; ! L 12, 1894. Frederick L. was married on April ii, 1900, to Miss Daisy V. Wick- /%/-.., Strom and they are the parents of three children, Maurice, Martha and Inga-' -; v borg. Alvin L., the youngest member of the family, married on December i, ' I, 1909, .Miss Lena McKee. On September 28, 1905, Mr. and Mrs. Williamson -- . ^ ' celebrated the fiftieth Anniversary of their wedding. The immediate familyand a number of distant relatives and devoted friends gathered at the old farm V ^^ home round the festive board and later on a group picture of the golden wedding ^ >:- -' guests was taken, which appears in connection with this sketch. Later in the -

After the usual schooling in the elementary branches taught in the district schools, Edwin P. Williamson began his career as a clerk in his father's store in Moline. He remained there two years and in 1889 went home and farmed for the next four years. At the death of his brother George he took charge of the Wataga Flour Mill, which he managed successfully for two years. He then engaged again in farming in Henderson township, where he remained four years, until in 1903 he removed to the old homestead in Sparta township. Here he has lived since that time, taking charge of the management of the farm when his father retired and continuing the work after his death. His agricultural labors have met with unusual success, a fact attested by the flourishing condition of the farm and the generous profits which accrue therefrom. He is also a director of the Wataga State Bank.

On March 22, 1899, Miss Lavinnie E. Olson gave her hand in marriage to Edwin P. Williamson. She was born in 1871, in Sparta township, Knox county. Her father was Jonas Olson, a native of Sweden, who came to this country in 1856 and made his home in Sparta township, east of Wataga. His death occurred in 1909. His wife, the mother of Mrs. Williamson, was Anna Catherine Danielson before her marriage. She was born May 22, 1852, and died in i88i. She is a daughter of Andrew and Betsy (Brita) Danielson, of whom the latter is still living, being in her eighty-sixth year.

To Mr. and Mrs. Williamson were born the following children : Eva Catherine and Andrew William, twins, deceased ; Ruth Amelia, bom January 27, 1907 ; and Amanda Pauline, born May i6, 1909. Mr. Williamson and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Wataga, in which he holds the office of trustee. His political preference is for the republican party. He has served as a member of the school board two terms and for two years was highway commissioner. Ever interested in the welfare of the community, he spares no efforts in promoting its advancement and encouraging its progressive spirit, which is one of its marked characteristics. . . . _.

- Peter McKissock is a farmer and mail agent of Walnut Grove township. He was born in Wistonshire, Scotland, on November 24, 1848, and traces his ancestry back to David McKissock, his great-grandfather, who was a farmer of that county. He married a member of the McGaw family and they became parents of Hendry McKissock, who was cavalryman during the Napoleonic wars. He, too, followed farming as his life work and passed away in 1870 at the advanced age of eighty-four years. His wife, who bore the maiden name of Jeanette McWilliam, died in 1856 at the age of sixty-five years. Their son, James McKissock, father of Peter McKissock of this review, was engaged in the dairy business and in farming. He married Elizabeth Hogg, who died in 1850, when but twenty-two years of age, leaving Peter McKissock an only child. The father afterward married again, his second union being with Sarah Pringle, who is still living in Scotland. By the second marriage there were two sons and one daughter, all of whom yet reside in the land of the heather. The father, James McKissock, passed away in 1880 at the age of sixty-six years.

Following his mother's death Pet^er McKissock went to live with his grandmother and after her demise spent his days with a cousin until he came to America in 1871. He made his way first to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, where he was employed at general work in a lead factory. He was next engaged in a glass warehouse, where he continued until he came to Knox county, Illinois, in 1876. He located at Altona as manager of the Mclntosh farm, remaining in charge for two years. He afterward rented a part of the farm and cultivated it for five years and later he came to his present home farm, where he now carries on general agricultural pursuits. It is a well developed property of one hundred acres and he has brought his fields under a high state of cultivation.

In 1877 Mr. McKissock was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Lawrence, who was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania, and is a daughter of Dr. Milton Lawrence, who served several terms as associate judge of Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and was married to Miss Sarah McFerran.

. Mr. McKissock is a member of the Presbyterian church of Oneida and a very active worker thereof. For years he has served as one of the elders of the church and was formerly clerk of the sessions of the Presbyterian church of Altona. For nine years he has been superintendent of the Sunday school of Walnut Grove township and he does everything in his power to promote the growth of the church and its kindred interests. In 1910 he made a visit to his old home in Scotland, where he remained for a period of two months. While en route he visited the world's Sunday school convention at Washington, to which he was sent as a delegate, having been appointed by the state committee of the state association. In politics he is a republican and on the i6th of November, 1902, he was made rural mail carrier out of Altona and has since served in that connection. He was also elected justice of the peace of Walnut Grove township, which position he filled for four years, and he has also served on the Altona library board, having been one of its first directors and was one of the book committee that put in the first books for the library. His cooperation can always be counted upon to further any progressive public movement and his labors are a substantial element for growth and improvement. His own life is actuated by high ideals and those who know him entertain for him the warm regard which is ever given in recognition of honorable, upright manhood

Dr. Frank Chapman, who for the past twelve years has been successfully engaged in the practice of osteopathy in Galesburg, was born in Spring Grove township. Warren county, Illinois, on the 5th of May, 1871. He is a son of A. A. and Ann M. (Buck) Chapman, natives of the state of New York and the parents of three children: Norman Ward, who is living in Portland. Oregon: Isa, the wife of Dr. Charles Owens of Chattanooga, Tennessee; and Frank, our subject. A. A. Chapman was reared in Cayuga county. New York, and there he engaged in agricultural pursuits, after leaving school, until he was . twenty-two years of age. In 1856 he left the Empire state and came to Illinois, locating in Warren county, where for many years he was actively engaged in - farming. He passed away in Galesburg in 1908, at the age of seventy- four years, but the mother is still living although she has celebrated the seventy-fifth anniversary of her birth. The paternal grandparents were Orson and Rebecca . (Gifford) Chapman, whose family numbered eight: Orson G., Olean, Alexander A., Harriet, Sophia, Kate, Abbie and Esther. The grandfather was a native of Connecticut, but he subsequently removed to the state of New York, where - he engaged in farming until age compelled his retirement. He passed away when he was seventy-six, but the grandmother was eighty-eight at the time of - her death. The maternal grandparents were Norman and Maria Buck, and to - them were born six daughters : Adeline, Allura, Emily, Ann M., Elizabeth and . Ellen. Mr. Buck was in middle life when called to his final rest, but she lived to attain the venerable age of seventy-five years. :

The youthful years of Dr. Frank Chapman were passed upon the farm, where he was born in Warren county. At the usual age he entered the district schools but later went to Lombard College, where he was prepared for the State University. After leaving the latter institution he returned to the farm, devoting his entire time and attention to agricultural pursuits until 1897. In the latter year together with his wife he went to Kirksville, Missouri, where they studied osteopathy. They were awarded their degrees in February, 1899, and immediately thereafter returned to Illinois, establishing an office in Galesburg that they have ever since maintained. Both Dr. Chapman and his wife are very well equipped for their work in every way, their preliminary preparation having been most thorough as well as their professional course. They are practical and also progressive in their ideas, and have most ably and satisfactorily demonstrated their skill during the period of their residence in Galesburg. Their efforts have met with very good results and they have succeeded in building up a large and lucrative practice, many of their patients representing the best ,. families of the city.

On the 6th of November, 1895, Dr. Chapman was married to Miss Ada P. . Hinckley, a native of Galesburg and a daughter of Charles A. and Clarissa N. - (Root) Hinckley. Dr. Ada Chapman was reared in this city, and after completing the public schools she entered Knox College, from which institution she was graduated in 1891. She subsequently taught in the training school of Galesburg and also in the country schools until her marriage. Her parents were ' natives of the state of New York, her father having come from Elmira and her mother from Camden. Mrs. Hinckley was one of the pioneers of Galesburg, having accompanied her father on his removal here in 1836. She has now attained the age of eighty years, and has passed practically her entire life in this city. Mr. Hinckley came west in 1846, locating in Knoxville. He was a well known farmer of Knox county, but was living retired at the time of his death, which occurred on the I5th of October, 1910, in Galesburg, at the age of eightyfive years. The paternal grandparents of Dr. Ada Chapman were Alfred and ' Eliza (Stanley) Hinckley, who migrated here in the pioneer period and lived to attain a ripe old age, he being eighty-seven at the time of his death. Six children were bom to them: Charles A., Mary E., George W., William S.,

Harriet and Francis E. The maternal grandparents were Riley and Lavinia' (Butler) Root. They were natives of the state of New York, and resided at Camden, that state, until her death, when he removed to Knox county, where he passed his latter years. She was quite young at the time of her death, but he lived to the age of seventy-six. Five children were born to them, but only two lived to attain maturity : Clarissa Noble and Dency E.

Fraternally Dr. Frank Chapman is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, while his political allegiance is given to the republican party. Although Dr. Frank Chapman is one of the public-spirited and progressive citizens of Galesburg, always being ready to assist in forwarding every movement that he deems at all likely to redound to the benefit of the community at large, he does not prominently participate in political affairs. He feels that the duties and responsibilities of his profession make it practically obligatory for him to devote his entire time and attention to his practice, in which he is meeting with such excellent success.

Summerfield Moats, who for the past fifteen years has been living retired in Hermon, has since his early youth been identified with the agricultural interests of Knox county. His birth occurred in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 8th of July, 1845, his parents being Joseph and Hannah (James) Moats, natives of Maryland, the father having been born in 1794 and the mother in i8oi. Agricultural pursuits always engaged the attention of Mr. Moats, who took up his residence in Ohio with his family during the pioneer days. After living there for some years he again started westward, Illinois being his destination. Knox county was then but sparsely settled, and contained large tracts of government .land, covered with native timber, while there were acres of prairie still unbroken. Mr. Moats bought one hundred and ninety-three acres of land, erecting thereon the necessary buildings and together with his wife began the hardships and privations of pioneer life. Their courage never faltered and while he was busily engaged in converting his place into a productive farm, she was lending him every assistance by her capable direction of the household affairs and the rearing of her children. They continued to live on their homestead until their death, having wielded an influence in the community that forwarded its permanent development toward the highest standards of citizenship and social life. In their family were thirteen children, five of whom are still living. The youngest member of the family is the son Summerfield, our subject, and the eldest now living the daughter, Cordelia, who makes her home in Hermon. The others in order of birth are as follows : Bennett, who is a resident of Colorado City, Colorado; Josephus, also living in Hermon; and Martin, who makes his home in Iowa. One son, Luther, now deceased, was a soldier in the Civil war.

It was in the district schools of his native county that Summerfield Moats received his introduction to the elements of English learning. The work there begun was completed after the family located in Knox county, following which he turned his entire attention to farming. From his earliest boyhood he was trained for the work which he so successfully followed during the entire period of his active career. About fifteen years ago he withdrew from the work of the fields, to the plowing, planting and harvesting of which he had for more than a quarter of a century devoted his energies. A man of determination and purpose his sound judgment and practical methods enabled him to retire, and he and his wife are now living in Hermon, enjoying the comfort and ease to which their early toil so justly entitles them.

Knoxville was the scene in 1871 of the marriage of Mr. Moats and Miss Emma Pettingill, who was born in Iowa, a daughter of Horace Pettingill, a farmer. He is now deceased as is also the mother, Mrs. Moats being the only surviving member of her family with the exception of a half-brother. To Mr. and Mrs. Moats were born six children, as follows : L. C., of Colorado City, Colorado ; S. E., of Monmouth, Illinois ; L. Edna Nelson, of Los Angeles, California ; Blanche Kinney, of Galesburg, Illinois ; N. S. ; and R. L., who is connected with the Galesburg Cornice Works, of Galesburg, Illinois.

His political allegiance Mr. Moats has always accorded to the democratic party, but he never actively participated in township governmental affairs. Mrs. Moats is a member of the Christian church, but he is not identified with any denomination. He was a member of the Odd Fellows fraternity, belonging to Hermon Lodge, No. - , I. O. O. F., the principles of this organization always having served as a guide in the direction of his life. -'-;"'.?:-.:.

Aleck O. Donason was one of the well known and highly successful agriculturists of Maquon township, owning at the time of his death four hundred . acres of fine land. He was born in Belmont county, Ohio, on the loth of October, 1834. When a lad of six years he accompanied his parents who re- ; moved from Ohio to Illinois, locating in Knox county in 1840. Here he spent. -: the remainder of his life with the exception of one year when he was in Ohio.

In the acquirement of an education Aleck O. Donason attended the common schools, after the completion of which he entered Lombard College at Galesburg. Reared on a farm, naturally he chose agriculture for his vocation when ready to begin his independent career. His first purchase of land was an eightyacre tract, upon which he subsequently erected a fine brick residence, where he lived until his death. A man of tireless energy and keen judgment he so intelligently directed his operations, that he met with good financial returns and extended his holdings from time to time until they aggregated four hundred acres.

On the nth of March, 1853, Mr. Donason was united in marriage to Miss Ann M. Barbero, a daughter of Nathan and Calista (Loomis) Barbero, natives - of New York. Mrs. Donason was also a native of the Empire state, her birth having occurred in Onondaga county, on the Erie canal, on June 9, 1833. Mr. and Mrs. Barbero came to Illinois in 1839, locating in Maquon township, where he passed away in January, 1885. Of the union of Mr. and Mrs. Barbero : there were born four children : Ann M., who became Mrs. Donason ; Lodema ; Henry; and John J. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Donason numbered seven: - Nathan, who is the eldest member of the family, is a resident of Maquon.

Jack married Minnie Sylvester and lives in Mills, Nebraska. Charles married Ada D. Simpkins and is living in Spokane, Washington. Calista G. became the wife of Samuel Love and is now residing in Idaho. Fred, who is living on the old homestead, married Mattie Simpkins and they have had nine children, six of whom are living as follows. Carl, Aleck, Ada, Kozel, Mattie and Calista; those deceased are Edith, Emma and Florence. Frank married Arra Holloway and lives north of town. Katie, the youngest of the family,' is deceased. Mrs. Donason is still living and is the owner of four hundred acres of land, one and a half miles south of Maquon. ':<-,.-;'-

Mr. Donason was a member of the Masonic fraternity, while his political support he gave to the democratic party. He was a public-spirited man and always took an active and helpful interest in governmental matters and at one time most efficiently filled the office of county supervisor. He was of an inventive turn of mind and quite an adept in machinery, being the first to construct a road grader in this county. He passed away at Eureka Springs, October 6, 1880, and was laid to rest in Maquon cemetery, deeply mourned not only in his immediate family but by a large circle of acquaintances, who held him in hi^ esteem, -v. :;_.., ' ;"^ ;'-;-;- 'V-"- V-",.v'v' ,-;-.:--..-/ ' / X -';-;--;---. -'^ ' >;-

Representatives of foreign countries are doing much toward peopling the . great middle west and among them are many Germans and Swedes who, by their energy and industry, have developed productive farms and have thereby added greatly to the country's wealth. Among this number is Elias J. Kjellander, whose name indicates his foreign origin. He was born in Sweden, on the 7th of February, 1844. In his native land Mr. Kjellander was reared and educated in its public schools, also attending college for a time, and there continued to dwell until i88i, in which year he came to the United States, determined to . seek here the opportunities which he had heard were open to those possessing V ambition, industry and perseverance. That these qualities were not foreign to his nature was soon manifest in the determination with which he at once set himself to earning his livelihood in a strange land, amid strange people and customs. He labored for some time and the spirit of thrift, which is the birthright of the Swedish nation, was strong within him and eventually he succeeded to establish himself independently as a farmer. He purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres on sections 14 and 15, Cedar township, and to its development and improvement he has since devoted his energies. As the years have passed prosperity has attended his efforts and he now has well cultivated fields which annually return abundant harvests as a reward for the care and labor expended upon them.

In 1884 Mr. Kjellander was united in marriage to Miss Antoinette Johnson, . a native of Sweden, who in 1864 came to America in company with her parents, both of whom are now deceased. They located in Galesburg, Knox county, Illinois, where their remaining days were devoted to agricultural pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kjellander have been born four sons, as follows: Everett and Anton, both residing in Canada; Justus, who lives in Warren county,

Illinois ; and Frederick, who resides at home and assists his father in his farming interests. The family are all members of the Swedish Lutheran church, and are highly respected throughout the community in which they live, for their many excellent traits of character. Since naturalization bestowed upon Mr. Kjellander the privileges of citizenship he has given his political allegiance to the republican party and of the interests and institutions of his adopted country he has ever been a stalwart supporter. He has had no occasion to regret his determination to seek his fortune in this country, for here he has found the opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won creditable success.

Included in the number of Illinois' prosperous husbandmen is Thompson L. Routh, an inhabitant of Knox county for many years. His grandparents, John and Nancy (Moon) Routh lived in Ohio, where his father, Joseph M. Routh, was born, January 22, 1813, and where Thompson L. was bom, April 21, 1850. In the general emigrations from Ohio westward during the middle decades of the nineteenth century the Routh family joined the moving current of population. The grandfather had died of the cholera in Ohio, but the grandmother, Nancy Morris, the mother of Mrs. Joseph M. Routh, with the others, traveling in wagons, came to Knox county. They paused for awhile in Hermon and then settled on a farm which the father, Joseph M. Routh, purchased on section 19 of Chestnut township in the fall of 1852. There he lived all his life with the exception of a few years when he made London Mills, Illinois, his home. His wife, the mother of Thompson L. Routh, in her maidenhood bore the name Rutisha Morris. Her people lived in Virginia at the time of her birth. Her marriage to Mr. Routh was blessed with the birth of four children, of whom Thompson L. is the only one surviving. The others were : Cornelius, who died in 1868; Thomas James, who served one year in the Seventh Illinois Cavalry and died in 1896; and an infant child that died in its first year. The mother lived to be eighty-seven years old, passing away at the home of her son in 1904. Her husband had attained nearly the same age, his death having occurred in 1899 at the age of eighty-six years. They are buried side by side in the Hermon cemetery.

Thompson L. Routh was reared upon the home farm, working in the fields from the time he was old enough to handle a plow. He attended the district schools of the vicinity. When he was twenty-one years old he located on section 19, where he devoted himself to thorough farming according to the efficient methods in which his father had trained him. He chose for a helpmate Miss Mary C. Leigh, to whom he was married the following year, in 1872. She was born August 6, 1853, ^^ the place where she now resides. Her parents were Clark and Sally (Long) Leigh, the father a native of Gallia county, Ohio, where he was born March 2, 1831. In 1836 his father came to Knox county, Illinois, on horseback to look over the ground with the view of locating here. Being impressed with the promising growth of the agricultural prospects of this region, he returned to Ohio and brought his family by wagon to Illinois. They settled near Hermon. They were accompanied thither by the Leigh family whose ancestors had been English. Archibald Long, Mrs. Thompson's maternal grandfather, was an exhorter and had a church in his home until the small congregation which came to worship there had raised the means with which to erect a church, when he contributed the lot upon which it was built, - the Methodist Episcopal church at Hermon, - and where it still stands. He also laid out the town of Hermon. Here- her father grew to manhood and after his marriage set up his household in a cottage on the site, where Mr. and Mrs. Thompson L. Routh now live. Later they built a large, comfortable home, living in this until their deaths. Mr. Clark Leigh's death occurred in 1866 and his wife passed away on April 2, 1911, having on March 7, 1888, married D. W. Shaflfer. Mr. and Mrs. Dark Leigh are buried at Hermon. They had two children, Curtis A., a merchant tailor in Chicago and Mary C., the wife of the subject of this sketch. Mary C. Leigh received her education in the country schools near her home and at Hedding College, and after completing her schooling she remained at home until her marriage. She became the mother of two children : J. Arthur, whose sketch is included in this volume; and Bessie Leigh, born February 14, 1886, and died August 20, 1896. .X ' -

For the past two years Mr. and Mrs. Thompson L. Routh have been living in the home once occupied by the latter's father. They began their married life on section 19, Chestnut township, where they lived in a modest cottage for several years. The farm on section 19, consisting of eighty acres of valuable land is still owned by Mr. Routh. His wife owns a farm of one hundred and sixty acres, as well as forty acres in Fulton county, Illinois.

Mr. Routh and his wife are both faithful church workers, the latter is the treasurer of the Methodist church and for years was steward ; the former is elder and deacon in the Christian church. Mr. Routh is a republican. For four years he served as town clerk and at present is assessor of his township. For his adherence to high moral principles and his uprightness in his business dealings he is regarded as one of the exemplary men of his community.

N. John Larson, who is engaged in farming on section 32, Knox township, where he owns and cultivates a good tract of land, was born in Sweden, May 7, 1843, and his parents, Lars Frederick and Johanna (Nelson) Larson, were also natives of that country. The hope of finding better conditions of life and broader opportunities led them to the new world and their last years were spent in America. Their family numbered two sons and three daughters, namely: Mrs. Emily Walters, a resident of Fort Madison, Iowa ; Mrs. Qara R. Johnson, whose home is in this county; N. John, of this review; Franz A., a resident of Oregon, and Mrs. Augusta M. Benkson, whose home is in Dorchester, Nebraska.

N. John Larson acquired his education in the schools of Sweden and in the school of experience has also learned many valuable lessons. He worked on a farm in his native land until 1869 and then came to America, landing at New York, whence he made his way direct to Chicago. There he continued for a short time but afterward went to Quincy, Illinois, and later removed to Missouri, where he worked as a farm hand for several years and was also employed on the railroad. Since 1875 he has resifl'^d continuously in Knox county, and his time and energies have been largely 'o general agricultural pursuits, his

On the 1st of June, 1876, Mr. Lar was united in marriage, in Knoxville, to Miss Emma Gustine, who was bo -n in Sweden, November 25, 1854, and came to the new world in 1859. Mr. nd Mrs. Larson have become parents of eleven children, of whom ten are yel living, their second daughter, Clara L., having passed away. The others are John Albert, Louise, Olivia, Esther, Edith, Gertrude, Frank, Herman, Carl and Marie. Of these, John Albert is married and lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and three children, Edna, Louise and Marion. Olivia is the wife of George Peterson, of Galesburg. Edith became the wife of Titus Endburg, of Galesburg, and they have one child, Herman. Esther is the wife of Clarence Johnson, also of Galesburg.

In religious faith Mr. Larson is a Lutheran, holding membership in the Swedish Mission church of Galesburg. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for while earnest labor has been his lot, he here found the opportunities which he sought and through their improvement has worked his way steadily upward until he now occupies a creditable position in agricultural circles and is the owner of a valuable farm, which in its neat and thrifty appearance indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of him who cultivates it.

William M. Stockdale

parents and on August 6, i86i, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted for service in the Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry but was later transferred to the ,. . Military Band and at the close of the war was in Company D, Second Indiana Cavalry, and was in all the regular battles in which it engaged. In 1865 he was mustered out of service and came direct to Altona, his parents having re- . > moved to that town in the meantime. His first duties as a boy were as a painter and decorator. In Altona, however, he took up the study of pharmacy while . . ' he was employed for four years in a clerical capacity by C. Ward. During this time, because of his quick and active mind, Mr. Stockdale acquired a fair knowledge not only of the science of drugs but also of the art of salesmanship. Sub- short time but afterward went to Qiiincy, Illinois, and later removed to Missouri, where lie worked as a farm hand for several years and was also employed on

-the railroad. Since 1875 he has resiH-^d continuously in Knox county, and his time and energies have been largely '"> general agricultural pursuits, his

On the 1st of June, 1876, Mr. Lar was united in marriage, in Knoxville, to Miss Emma Gustine, who was bo n in Sweden. \(n-eml)er ^5, 1854, and came to the new world in 1859. Mr. nd Mrs. Larson have become parents of eleven children, of whom ten are yet living, their second daughter, Clara L., having passed away. The others are John Albert, Louise, Olivia, Esther, Edith, Gertrude, Frank, Herman, Carl and Marie. Of these, John Albert is married and lives in Des Moines, Iowa, with his wife and three children, Edna, Louise and Marion. Olivia is the wife of George Peterson, of Galesburg. Edith became the wife of Titus Endburg, of Galesburg, and they have one child, Herman. Esther is the wife of Clarence Johnson, also of Galesburg.

In religious faith Mr. Larson is a Lutheran, holding membership in the Swedish Mission church of Galesburg. He has never had occasion to regret his determination to come to America, for while earnest labor has been his lot, he here foiuid the o]:)portunities which he sought and through their improve-

. ment has worked his way steadily upward until he now occupies a creditable position in agricultural circles and is the owner of a valuable farm, which in its neat and tlu'ifty a])])earance indicates the careful supervision and practical methods of him who cultivates it.

; AN'illiam M. Stockdale had a wide ac(|uaintance in Altona and throughout the part of the county in whicli he had lived and all recognized in him a man of substantial character, straightforward in his acts and honorable in his jnirposes. His sterling characteristics won liini high and sincere regard and his death on July 22, 1904, caused deep regret throughout the community. He was born in Elkhart, Indiana, on the 7th of January, 1844, his parents being Thomas and Catherine (Mannington) Stockdale, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Ohio. The paternal grandfather, Hugh Stockdale, was a native of Ireland.

;. \'ery early in life William Stockdale removed to Goshen, Indiana, with his parents and on August 6, i86i, at the age of seventeen years, he enlisted for service in the Twenty-ninth Indiana Infantry but was later transferred to the Military Hand and at the close of the war was in Company D, Second Indiana Cavalry, and was in all the regular battles in which it engaged. In 1865 he was mustered out of service and came direct to Altona, his parents having removed to that town in the meantime. His first <luties as a lx)y were as a painter and decorator. In Altona, however, he took up the study of ]iharmacy while he was emjiloyed for four years in a clerical cai)acity by C. Ward. During this time, because of his quick and active mind, Mr. Stockdale acquired a fair knowledge not only of the science of drugs but also of the art of salesmanship. Sub- sequently, after clerking for six years in Galva, Illinois, he returned to Altona and opened up a drug store on his own account, an undertaking in which he met with immediate success. He was well known as one of the oldest druggists in northern Knox county and also as one of the most reliable pharmacists in his section. He constantly applied himself to the study of his profession and kept up with its progress and the evolution of its science. In addition to this side of the business he carried a well selected line of goods and his success was largely due to his honorable methods, earnest effort to please his customers and the attractive display of the drugs and druggist's sundries which he carried. Mr. Stockdale was equally prominent in musical circles. He organized the first band of Altona and was its leader at the time of his death ; he was a member of the orchestra of Altona and he was the cornetist of the Methodist Episcopal church, in which he held membership.

On the 24th of December, 1870, Mr. Stockdale was married to Miss Ella M. Main, a daughter of Elias B. and Mary Ann (Huntington) Main, who was born on the i8th of November, 1847. To Mr. and Mrs. Stockdale one child was born, Milo E., whose birth occurred September 29, 1879, and who passed away on the I2th of June, 1884. Mrs. Stockdale remained at home after her mother's death until her marriage. At the age of sixteen years she graduated from school and immediately began making practical use of her education by teaching in the district. She has always shown considerable interest in the educational and moral development of her community and has been actively connected with various organizations devoted to the furthering of these causes. At present she is serving as the treasurer of the Ladies' Aid Society of the Methodist Episcopal church of Altona, in which she holds membership and to which her husband devoted much of his time, being trustee and financial secretary at the time of his death. He also was a member of Lodge No. 360, A. F. & A. M., of Altona, having served- as secretary for fifteen years, and he belonged to the Grand Army post of Altona. His was a well spent life and he became prominent and well known in his district, where his many substantial qualities were both recognized and appreciated by all who knew him. He performed his duties faithfully and efficiently, was thoughtful of the rights of others and never neglected his obligations to his fellow citizens.

Isaac Cheyney Preston is a retired farmer residing at No. 409 West North street. He was born in Harford county, Maryland, November 9, 1841, a son of Edniond and Phoebe (Hoskins) Preston, both of whom were natives of Maryland. The former was a son of David and Judith ( Hollingsworth ) Preston, who were natives of Pennsylvania and of Delaware respectively. He sat at the head of his meeting - the Friends Society - in his locality for many years. He passed away at the age of seventy-two and his wife died when well advanced in years. They had five children, namely: Isaac, Sylvester, Hannah, Edmond and Deborah. Their son, Edmond Preston, was born in Maryland, devoted his life to farming and spent his last days in Harford county of his native state, his remains being interred in the old Friends cemetery there, he and his wife being consistent members of the Society of Friends. He married Phoebe Hoskins, a daughter of Nathaniel Hoskins, whose wife in her maidenhood bore the family name of Cheyney. Both lived to old age and reared a large family, including Cheyney, Jesse, Eliza, Hiram, Edith, Sarah, William, Phoebe and Joseph. The youngest daughter became the wife of Edmond Preston and unto them were born eight children : Isaac C. ; David, who is deceased ; Louis H., living in Brush, Colorado ; Henry C., who resides on the old home place in Harford county, Maryland ; William S., who has passed away ; Judith, the deceased wife of Joseph T. Hoopes ; Robert S., of Harford county, Maryland ; and Edmond, who is deceased.

Isaac C. Preston was reared in Harford county, Maryland, on the old home farm and after laying the foundation for his education in the Friends' school, attended the public schools and afterward spent a year in the Union Chapel Academy of Harford county, at which time his instructor was a Massachusetts man. About that time his father purchased an interest in a business and drove meat wagons in Harford and Baltimore counties. Isaac C. Preston became driver of one of these wagons and was so employed for four years and at the same time engaged in buying stock. He then came to the middle west in company with Elijah Lancaster. They took this step because their parents did not wish them to go to war and after reaching the Mississippi valley they enlisted in Company G, of the First Wisconsin Cavalry under Colonel LaGrange, serving during the last year of hostilities. Mr. Preston participated in the battle at Hopkinsville, Kentucky, and for twenty-four days and nights, in December, 1864, was with his command in pursuit of General Lyons. The regiment then went into winter quarters at Waterloo, Tennessee, where they remained for four weeks. They afterward marched through Alabama and Mr. Preston was in one of the last battles of the war, at West Point, on the Chattahoochee river. He joined the army as a private, was made corporal and was afterward promoted to the rank of sergeant. He contracted typhoid fever on the march from Macon, Georgia, to Chattanooga, Tennessee, and from there was sent to Nashville and on to Louisville, where he was placed in the Brown Hospital. He remained there until he became convalescent, when his father went for him and took him home to Harford county, Maryland.

Following his recovery Mr. Preston purchased a new threshing machine from his father and operated it for two years. He then sold out and began shipping fertilizer from the west, having in the meantime made a trip westward to Illinois and Iowa. In 1870 he settled in Page county, Iowa, where he resided until 1895, when he came to Galesburg for the purpose of educating his daughter and here he has since lived retired. He purchased a good lot and built his present home at No. 409 West North street, where he is now pleasantly located, having in the meantime secured a handsome competence that now supplies him with all the necessities and many of the luxuries of life. I . ' -

On the 7th of December, 1871, Mr. Preston was united in marriage to Miss Jennie C. Logan, a daughter of James and Elizabeth (Bowling) Logan and a granddaughter of Michael and Margaret Logan, who were natives of Kentucky. Her grandfather lived to the advanced age of eighty-five years. In his family were eight children. The maternal grandparents of Mrs. Preston were Purton

James and Margaret (Jones) Bowling, both of whom lived to old age. The former was a native of Virginia. Their family numbered seven children : Elizabeth, John, Alvira, Armiza, Jane, Julia and Elvira. The father of Mrs. Preston was born in Kentucky and her mother in Illinois. They were early settlers of Springfield. Mr. Logan died in 1880, at the age of sixty-eight years, and his wife passed away in 1893 ^t the age of seventy-six. They were very active and faithful members of the Christian church. They had five children : William ; Nannie; James C. and Jennie C., twins; and Josephine. The daughter Jennie became the wife of. Isaac C. Preston. She was bom in Springfield, June 2, 1848, and by her marriage had one daughter, Nannine Wren Preston, who was graduated from Knox College under Dr. John Finley and has been a teacher in the schools of Galesburg for about twelve years.

Mr. Preston still holds his membership with the Society of Friends in the city of Baltimore, while his wife and daughter are members of the First Presbyterian church of Galesburg. In his political views he is a republican and has filled a number of local offices, the duties of which he has discharged with credit to himself and satisfaction to his constituents. He was a member of the board of supervisors of Page county, Iowa, for six years, was justice of the peace for several terms and was postmaster of Essex, Iowa, for three years. Fraternally he is connected with James T. Shields Post, No. 45, G. A. R., and was its commander in 1890. He has thus kept in touch with the boys in blue of the Civil war and he is as true and loyal to his country today as when he followed the old flag on southern battlefields and thus g^ve proof of his advocacy of the Union cause. He has ever been faithful to duty, whether in days of war or days of peace, and his has at all times been an honorable record, his upright life commanding for him the confidence, good-will and friendship of the great majority of those with whom he has come in contact. In business, too, he displayed excellent ability as a manager and in the wise promotion of his interests won substantial and well earned success.

Ernest Thomas Collinson

Ernest T. Collinson, who has been living at Galva since he gave up his farm in 1898, was born in Walnut Grove township, Knox county, on the old Collinson homestead, on the lyth of October, 1875. He is a son of Simeon L. and Jane (Carnahan) Collinson. The father was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 7th of July, 1806, and on the 4th of November, 1831, settled in Wilkes-Barre, Luzerne county, Pennsylvania. The trip from his native country took seven weeks and he was accompanied by his first wife, who passed away early in 1874, and two children. When he left Pennsylvania to settle in Illinois he made the trip with horse and wagon and was forced to undergo many of the hardships that awaited the traveler of that early day. In 1838 however, he arrived in this county and at once settled upon the property forming a part of the farm which he owned at the time of his death. His first task was to build a log cabin which served as their home until his farm proved sufficiently remunerative to permit him to build a larger and more substantial one. Subsequently he became one of the

! nine children were born : Thomas W., Lydia, Henry and Simeon, deceased ; Mary, who is the wife of J. E. Durham, of Mendota, Illinois; Martha, who is the widow of James McLaughlin of Altona, Illinois; John Q, a resident of Altona; Susan, who is married to J. McGaan of Altona ; and one child who passed away in infancy. Mr. Collinson was again married in 1874, when he wedded Mrs.

- , Jane (Carnahan) McClure, whose birth occurred in Scotland, on the I7th of . ; September, 1837, and who settled in Altona immediately after her arrival in the

: - United States in 1867. To their union one child was born, Ernest Thomas Collinson, whose name stands at the head of this review. Simeon L. Collinson gave his political support to the democratic party and was the first assessor of Lynn township after its organization.

- Ernest T. Collinson acquired his education in the nearby district schools and -subsequently resided upon the homestead with his mother. In the spring of

. ; 1898 he removed to Galva and has since made that town his home. After arriving there he engaged in the real-estate and insurance business for some time. In 1898 he was married to Miss Ada M. Craver, whose birth occurred in Lynn township, on the 26th of April, 1875. She is a daughter of George and Nancy E. (Heaton) Craver, the former of whom has passed away. To Mr. and Mrs. Collinson two children have been born: Harold E. and Willard C., aged ten and seven years respectively. Mr. Collinson holds membership in the Congregational church of Galva and also in the Woodman of America and the Knights of Pythias of which he has been trustee and is now vice chancellor. His entire life has been spent in this county and he enjoys a wide acquaintance which has been formed because of his genial and social nature. He is interested in all that tends to promote the welfare of his community, and any measure suggested for civic improvement or social development is sure to win his support and assistance.

Edward Joseph Appell, who is engaged in general farming and stock-raising in Lynn township, Knox county, was born on the 23d of September, 1879, on the old Appell homestead in this township. He is a son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Appell, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume. To the parents eleven children were born : Lydia, who is the wife of the Rev. G. A. Brandell, of Colorado; Alfred, a minister of the Lutheran church at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania ; Hanna, who is married to Gus Lilgiroot, of Henry county ; Carl, who is practicing law in Chicago ; Amanda, who is married to Otto Johnson, of Henry county; Louis A., who is justice of the peace of this township; Edward Joseph, of this review; Alfrieda and Ferdinand, both of whom are residing at home ; Martin, who is an agriculturist of Henry county ; and Edith, also at home.

The boyhood and youth of Edward J. Appell were spent attending school and assisting with the daily farm duties on the home place. At the age of seventeen he entered Augustana College, at Rock Island, Illinois, and in that institution - pursued the commercial course. Subsequently he remained at home and farmed for his father for ten years. He has followed agricultural pursuits throughout his active career and, although still a young man, has met with a good degree of success and has won an enviable reputation among his fellow agriculturists.

In 1905 Mr. Appell was married to Miss Ruth Caroline Krantz, whose birth occurred on the 3d of July, 1883, in Jonjoping, Sweden. She is a daughter of P. A. and Ida (Magnuson) Krantz, both of whom are residing in Sweden and who are the parents of ten children : Anna, who is the wife of Harry Cox, of Rockford; Herman, who is a resident of Victoria, Illinois; Ellen, the wife of Elias Rodine, of Sweden ; Mrs. Appell ; Peter, who is still living in Sweden ; Oscar, a resident of Victoria, Illinois ; Abbie, who is married to Martin Appell, of Lynn township; Gustav, also living in Victoria; and Fabian and Leona, both of whom are residing in Sweden. Mrs. Appell came to America with E. Magnuson when she was but eighteen years of age. Upon her arrival in Illinois she lived with the Appell family until her marriage. To Mr. and Mrs. Appell one child has been born, Virgil Edward, whose birth occurred on the 3d of May, 1911.

Mr. Appell gives his political allegiance to the republican party and, although he is interested in its success and in the policies of its platforms and earnestly desires their success at the polls, he has never sought nor desired office as a reward for party fealty. Both Mr. and Mrs. Appell are members of the Swedish Lutheran church, of which he is a trustee. The improved and well equipped condition of his farm indicates his thrift, industry and scientific management, all of which are tending to bring him a good degree of success.

John Johnson, who is conducting a meat market in Altona, Knox county, was born in that town on the 5th of October, 1863, his parents being Louis and Car- r rie (Marsh) Johnson, both natives 'of Ockelbo, Sweden. The father was the son > of Mr. and Mrs. Jonas Johnson, who came to America in 1857, and after the ;^. cholera removed to Altona. Mrs. Jonas Johnson is perhaps the oldest resident : of Illinois, her birth having occurred on the I5th of July, 1808, and she and her .v husband were among the early settlers who took up their residence in Altona. Their first home adjoined the present site of the high school, but later they re- * moved to a farm north of the town, and a short time afterward they entered the " Swedish colony settled on Bishop Hill. They were the parents of three children : ' Andrew, who is residing in Sioux City, Iowa; Margaret, who is the wife of Fred Spiegel, and with whom the mother resides ; and Louis, who died December . 25, 190,7. at the age of seventy-four years. Louis Johnson came to Altona with - his father and spent nearly his entire life in the employ of the Chicago, Burling- - ton & Quincy Railway. Mrs. Louis Johnson, who is eighty-two years of age, ', is the daughter of John and Christine Marsh, of Sweden. The Johnsons were . the first members of the Swedish Lutheran church here and were most active in the support of that church at the time it was founded. Mr. and Mrs. Louis Johnson were the parents of nine children, seven of whom are now living : Betsy,

- who is the wife of C. Carlson of Walnut Grove; Margaret, the wife of Olof Peterson, of Altona ; John, who is the subject of this sketch ; and Louis, Frank, George and Nellie, all residing in Altona.

Leaving school at the early age of fourteen years John Johnson entered the employ of his father on the home farm, and for the next ten years was actively engaged in assisting in its cultivation. After that time, however, he entered the meat market of Whiting- Van Scoyk at Galesburg, but later returned to Altona, and since 1907 has been in partnership with Mr. Whiting, of the firm of Whiting & Johnson, of Altona. His market is ably managed, and, realizing that satisfied customers are the best advertisement for future business Mr. Johnson aims at treating all who may patronize him with the respect and courtesy due them. Mr. Johnson was married to Nellie Neilson, whose birth occurred November 4, 1865, at Kylinge Point, in southern Sweden. She is the daughter of Nels and Anna Swenson, both of whom are still living. The grandmother died, in 1909, at the age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Johnson came to America in 1885 with friends and settled at once in Altona, where she was married. She was one of two children, her sister residing in Sweden at present. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson eight children were born: Emma, whose birth occurred February 24, 1889, and who is the wife of Roy Rankin, an agriculturist of Media, Illinois, and has one child, John Robert; Anna, born on the 25th of November, 1890, who is engaged in teaching school ; Minnie, Inez and Bessie, whose births occurred November 12, 1893, December 23, 1895, and October 5, 1897, respectively; and George, Theora and Vivian, whose births occurred January 20, 1902, October lo, 1903, and August 15, 1906, respectively. With the exception of Mrs. Rankin they are all residing at home.

Mr. Johnson is an active member of the republican party, and since he cast his first vote has always voted for the men and measures of the party whose policies he considers the most conducive in promoting good government. He has served as alderman of Altona for four years and is now serving his second term and is also a member of the school board. He holds membership in the Modern Woodmen of America of Altona. As a life-long resident he has been a witness to much of its development, and has been influential in promoting its business interests. Because of his strict integrity and high principles he holds the respect of his fellow citizens.

. In days of old, before the chronicler of events appeared to write the story of his nation's greatness, people drew their inspiration from the past by hearkening to the tales the old men told, by listening to the song of the bard, by scattered reminiscences of the aged nurse, handed down from generation to generation. Then the romance of history was not entombed within the covers of a book, it was graven on the minds and living in the hearts of the people. To-day much of that old-time poetry has gone out of our lives. We are too preoccupied with the demands which our severely competitive mode of living has thrust upon us. Too late, perhaps, when the last pioneers of our western civilization will have passed from among us, we will come to realize what we have lost in their pic- who is the wife of C. Carlson of Wahiut Grove; ^Margaret, the wife of Olof . Peterson, of Altona ; John, who is the subject of this sketch ; and Louis, Frank, George and NelHe, all residing in Altona.

Leaving school at the early age of fourteen years John Johnson entered the employ of his father on the home farm, and for the next ten years was actively engaged in assisting in its cultivation. After that time, however, he entered the ;. meat market of Whiting- Van Scoyk at Galesburg, but later returned to Altona, and since 1907 has been in partnership with Mr. Whiting, of the firm of Whiting & Johnson, of Altona. His market is ably managed, and, realizing that satisfied customers are the best advertisement for future business Mr. Johnson aims at treating all who may patronize him with the respect and courtesy due them. Mr. Johnson was married to Nellie Neilson, whose birth occurred November 4, 1865, at Kylinge Point, in southern Sweden. She is the daughter of Nels and Anna Swenson, lx)th of whom are still living. The grandmother died, in 1909, at the age of ninety-two years. Mrs. Johnson came to America in 1885 with friends and settled at once in Altona, where she was married. She was one of two children, her sister residing in Sweden at present. To Mr. and Mrs. Johnson eight children were born: Emma, whose birth occurred February 24, 1889, and who is the wife of Roy Rankin, an agriculturist of Media, Illinois, and has one child, John Robert: Anna, born on the 25th of Noveml)er, 1890, who is engaged in teaching school ; Minnie, Inez and Bessie, whose births occurred November 12, 1893, December 23, 1895, and October 5, 1897, respectively; and George, Theora and \'ivian, whose births occurred January 20, 1902, October lo, 1903, and .\ugust 15, 1906, respectively. With the exception of Mrs. Rankin they are all residing at home.

Mr. Johnson is an active member of the republican party, and since he cast his first vote has always voted for the men and measures of the party whose policies he considers the most conducive in promoting good government. He has served as alderman of Altona for four years and is now serving his second term and is also a member of the school board. He holds meml>ership in the Modern Woodmen of America of Altona. As a life-long resident he has been a witness to much of its development, and has been influential in promoting its business interests. P)ecause of his strict integrity and high principles he holds ' the respect of his fellow citizens. " V

John W. Stephens

In days of old, before the chronicler of events appeared to write the story of his nation's greatness, people drew their inspiration from the past by hearkening to the tales the old men told, by listening to the song of the bard, by scattered reminiscences of the aged nurse, handed down from generation to generation. Then the romance of history was not entombed within the covers of a book, it was graven on the minds and living in the hearts of the people. To-day much of that old-time poetry has gone out of our lives. We are too preoccupied with the demands which our severely competitive mode of living has thrust upon us. Too late, perhaps, when the last pioneers of our western civilization will have passed from among us, we will come to realize what we have lost in their pic-

There is still dwelling in Knox county a man whose life links us with that past of mystery and charm. His name is John W. Stephens, son of one of the early settlers and, for a period of more than seventy-four years, intimately associated with the rise and growth of Knox county. Those who have had the privilege of listening to his reminiscences will remember with a thrill the story of his father's experiences with the Indians, and of the winter of the heavy snow when the settlers were in danger of perishing. They will listen with delight to the description of the district school, where Mr. Stephens found his only opportunities for an education. It was a typical old log schoolhouse with split log benches and a puncheon floor. A fire in the huge fireplace at one end supplied the heat. Across square openings cut in the walls paper was stretched to serve as windows. These were the primitive surroundings amid which the boys and girls of those days were given that stern training that prepared them for a life of hardship and toil.

John W. Stephens was born in Warren county. New Jersey, on the 6th of June, 1825. He was the son of Richard and Eleanor (Addis) Stephens, both natives of New Jersey, where they were reared and married. In 1830 they came to Illinois locating in Fulton county, but the difficulties with the Indians and other unforseen trials compelled them to give up their residence in this state. They therefore went to Ohio and lived in Warren county for seven years. In 1838, however, seeking solace after the crushing blow he received in the loss of his wife, Mr. Stephens again set his face westward, retracing his way to Illinois. This time he chose Cedar township, Knox county, for the family abode, continuing to live there until his death in April, 1854.

John W. Stephens was nurtured at home and availed himself of the meager educational advantages that pioneer life afforded. Among his companions who helped to make his school days a pleasant memory, was Mary H. Stephens whom he later chose for a helpmate. They were married on October 29, 1848, coming directly to Cedar township, Knox county, Illinois, where they established their new home on a farm of one hundred and sixty acres on section 4. Mr. Stephens had just purchased this farm a short time before at five dollars an acre. After living here five years he sold this piece of land and bought the farm on which his father had first settled on his advent in Knox county. There Mr. and Mrs. Stephens lived until 1894 when they removed to Abingdon, which they have made their home ever since. The old farm of one hundred and forty acres about which all the family traditions center since 1839, that his father had owned before him and that he had tilled for thirty-nine years, he now gave over to the management of his son. He owns, furthermore, a farm of eighty-three acres on section i6 in Cedar township.

In 1890 Mr. Stephens' wife died and three years later, on October ii, 1893, he married again. It is a curious and interesting coincidence that the second Mrs. Stephens, whose given name is Mary C., and the first Mrs. Stephens both bore the name "Stephens" before their marriage and there was no relationship between them. Of Mr. Stephens' first marriage there were four children. Only one survives, Charles E., who married Miss Harriet Latimer, of Abingdon. Mr. Stephens is a republican and during the war served for three years as member of the board of county supervisors. The office of justice of the peace which he held at one time he resigned at the end of a year. Unwearied in his efforts for the improvement of his locality and the upbuilding of his community, he was for twenty years road conimissioner of Cedar township and for a long period a member of the school board. Mrs. Stephens is a member of the Congregational church, in which her husband also worships. Mr. Stephens is still in the possession of excellent health and cheerful spirit and, looking back upon a long life nobly spent in usefulness to his family and community, he finds peace and contentment of mind, the richest rewards that can crown a man's declining years.

Ebenezer Lass, president of the Lass & Larson Company of Galesburg, conducting a wholesale and retail business in wall paper, paints, oils and glass, has sought his success along the well defined lines of labor and has won his advancement through close conformity to a high standard of commercial ethics. At a time when many men put aside the more active and arduous pursuits of business life he is still busily engaged along commercial lines and his energy and persistency of purpose are those of a man of much younger years. He was born in Kent, England, October ii, 1839, his parents being William and Sarah (Eastes) Lass. The father was a confectionery manufacturer who conducted business for many years but ultimately retired. He died in England in 1883, when about seventy-nine years of age, his birth having occurred in 1804. His wife, who was born in Kent, England, in 1806, passed away in 1888, at the advanced age of eighty-two years. They were both members of the Wesleyan church, in the work of which they took active and helpful interest, Mr. Lass serving as one of the church officers. They were married at Deal, Kent, England, in 1827, and unto them were born twelve children: Elizabeth, now deceased; Francis, who is living at Sandwich, England; Sarah, the wife of William Ekins, of Riverside, California ; Grove P., deceased ; William, a resident of Galesburg ; Laura, who has passed away ; Ebenezer ; Frederick and Benjamin, both deceased ; John, living in this city ; Thomas, still a resident of Deal, County Kent ; and Mary, the wife of Theodore Baldwin, also of Deal, ' c.. '

Ebenezer Lass pursued his education in a private school of Deal and when fourteen years of age was apprenticed to learn the decorator's trade, at which he worked in that town until he had attained his majority. He then went to London, where he followed his trade for three and a half years, but, believing that better opportunities were waiting on this side of the Atlantic, he came to the United States in 1866, settling in Galesburg, where he followed his trade until 1884. He was ambitious, however, to engage in business on his own account and carefully saved his earnings until he felt that his capital justified him in starting in business on his own account. In partnership with C. T. Larson and J. G. Lafferty, he established a store and when two years later Mr. Lafferty sold his interest to the other partners the firm of Lass & Larson was organized. Under that name the business was conducted until 1905, when it was incorporated under the name of the Lass & Larson Company, its officers being Ebenezer_;.\' . Lass, president, and C. T. Larson, secretary, treasurer and manager. They :-: now handle wall paper, paints, oils and glass, selling to the wholesale and retail trade. They employ twenty people in their establishment in Galesburg and also :'. have salesmen on the road. Their business has grown year by year and, carry- - ., ing a large and well selected line of goods, they have every reason to feel that , ' their trade will still further increase. \. ,:

On the 4th of July, 1868, Mr. Lass was married to Miss Emma Pittock, a - daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bailey) Pittock, of this city. Unto them . /. were born seven children : Grace, now the wife of Francis Sisson, of Yonkers, ; New York ; Charles, living in Galesburg ; Effie, Kate and Mamie, all deceased ; " . William, of Treadwell, Alaska ; and Edith, at home. The wife and mother passed .; away February 22, 1882, and on the 26th of May, 1886, Mr. Lass was again - : married, his second union being with Miss Lucy M. Jerrauld, a daughter of '. Harvey and Maria Jerrauld, of Galesburg. There was one child of this union. . George, now deceased. ;

Mr. and Mrs. Lass hold membership in the Central Congregational church - ' and his fraternal relations are with the Odd Fellows lodge of Galesburg. His :; - \ political allegiance is given to the republican party and he is interested in all that pertains to general progress and improvement, finding time to cooperate in measures for the general good while carefully managing his business affairs. T . He early learned the fact that diligence and industry must determine the success '---.' to which one can achieve. He has, therefore, persevered and his capable man- - agement. added to his thorough early training, has been a salient feature in gaining him the success which now classes him with Galesburg's substantial and ' ' progressive merchants. . . -' -

Mary Arnold Templeton, who is residing in Altona, Illinois, was born on the 7th of April, 1846, in Victoria township, Knox county. She is a daughter of John arid Nancy (Herman) Arnold, whose births occurred in i8io and 1812 respectively, the former being a native of Dayton, Ohio, and the latter of Tennessee. John Arnold was a blacksmith by trade, and from early youth took up this occupation. Later he worked on a canal as boss of a gang, and subsequently traveling through Alabama he followed the carpenter's trade. After his marriage, however, in 1836 he came to Victoria township by way of Peoria and Kickapoo creek, and took up farming. He made the trip by team and when he arrived at the land for which he had set out he found it already sufficiently cleared and immediately built a log cabin upon it. He resided there until 1853, following his trade for a livelihood, when he removed to Victoria. In that town he engaged in horse-shoeing and blacksmithing until his death, which occurred on the 8th of December, 1864. His wife was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Steven Herman, agriculturists. They removed to Alabama at the time they were early settlers. The mother's death occurred there in 1887. Mr. Arnold was one of the most prominent democrats in his region and held many local offices. His parents were Ephraim and Elinor Arnold. To Mr. and Mrs. John Arnold ten children have been born, four of whom survive: Robert H., a resident of Peoria, who is married and has two children; Mrs. Templeton, who is the subject of this review; Jane, of Victoria, who is the wife of Irving Norton, a shoemaker, and who has two children ; and Eliza, who is residing with Mrs. Templeton.

In April, 1869, Mary Arnold was married to Thomas Foster Templeton, whose birth occurred in 1830, and who was a son of John and Nancy (Foster) Templeton, whose deaths occurred in Princeton, Illinois, and in Pennsylvania respectively. Thomas F. Templeton was born in Armstrong county, Pennsylvania, but removed to Knox county when a child, where he engaged in farming until he entered the hardware business in Altona in 1862. For ten years he was thus engaged with his brother-in-law. At the end of that time he disposed of this business and took up agricultural pursuits in Victoria township. On account of ill health, however, he soon disposed of his farm and lived retired until his death which occurred on the loth of January, 1907. He was a stanch republican and for many years held office on the school board; In religious faith he was a Presbyterian and was an elder in the Presbyterian church of Altona for several years. He also held membership in Masonic Lodge, No. 330, of Altona.

To Mr. and Mrs. Templeton three children were born. Maude Alberta, the eldest died in 1904, at the age of thirty-six years. She is survived by her husband, E. H. Mason, of Galesburg, and three children, namely, Donald, who is eighteen years of age and teaching school in Victoria township ; Marjory, who is sixteen years of age and attending high school; and Nanny B., who is fifteen years of age. Nanny B., the second, in order of birth, whose death occurred in 1893 when she was twenty years of age, was the wife of William Gehring, of Galesburg. The youngest child died when very young. .- | ./-' !

Eliza Arnold, who is residing with her sister, Mrs. Templeton, was bom on the 8th of February, 1840. At the age of twenty-three years she attended Knox College for one year, having taught previously for six years. After leaving college she again engaged in teaching, and for twenty years was connected with the schools of Victoria township. She is one of the oldest teachers in this county, and all through her career was most successful in her pedagogical pursuits. She holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church.

, . ' Mrs. Templeton is one of the active workers in her community in all organizations which are formed to promote the public good. Charitable and kindly, her home is always open to those who need her assistance or to whom she can prove a faithful friend. Her life has been spent in the interests of others, and she is now one of the most esteemed residents of Altona. v V

Burrell N. Chapin, seventy-seven years of age, has spent his entire life in Illinois and the record he has made is a most creditable one, for his success has never been gained at the sacrifice of others' interests and at no time has he refused to give his aid and support to those movements which have been instituted for the public good. In business affairs, too, he has shown sound judg- ment and capable management and by wise investments has secured a competency and has become one of the substantial citizens of Knox county. He was born in Fulton county, Illinois, August 4, 1834, a son of Moses B. and Irenia (De Maranville) Chapin. The father was born in Massachusetts and was a son of Consider and Esther (Wallace) Chapin. The grandfather was likewise a native of Massachusetts and was a descendant of Deacon Samuel Chapin, who was one of the Puritan fathers who came to America about 1640. He was one of those to whom a monument has been erected in front of the public library at Springfield, Massachusetts, being a founder of that city. Esther (Wallace) Chapin, the grandmother of Burrell N. Chapin, was a native of Scotland and is a descendant of Sir William Wallace. The Chapins are also related to a number of distinguished Americans. Captain Caleb Chapin, the great-grandfather, was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, valiantly aiding the colonies in their struggle for independence. His son. Consider Chapin, was agifted poet of his day. Moses Chapin, born and reared in Massachusetts, came to Illinois in 1832, the year of the Black Hawk war, in which he took an honorable part. He made the journey overland from Pennsylvania on horseback and settled in Fulton county. He was a cooper by trade and established a shop in Lewiston, Illinois, where he resided until 1840. He then removed to Farmington, where he also built a shop, there residing for five years, or until 1845, when he purchased some land near Farmington and turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. He continued to live upon that place until his death, which occurred in 1872. When he came to Illinois his family numbered three children, and eight were born after the arrival in this state. The eldest of the family was Sylvia, who died at the age of twelve years, and Minerva and Gorham are also deceased, the former passing away at the age of two years. The latter was a soldier of the Civil war, serving as a lieutenant in the One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry. The others of the family were: Sophronia, who became the wife of Lyman Sanders, both now deceased ; Burrell N. ; Cornelia, the wife of Captain Francis M. Taylor, of the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry, but both have passed away; Ivory, who was a soldier of the One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry during the Civil war but is now deceased; Pausinia, the deceased wife of Enos Kelsey who went to the front with the One Hundred and Third Illinois Volunteer Infantry ; Flora, a resident of Farmington, who is the widow of Joseph Routson, who was likewise a soldier of the One Hundred and Third Illinois ; Ora H., who served in the One Hundred and Third Illinois Infantry and was killed by the Indians in Arizona in 1871 ; and Marshall D., a resident of Monmouth, being the youngest of the family. Mr. Chapin has, on the maternal side, a number of illustrious ancestors. His grandfather, Jabez De Maranville, served on the Lake Erie under Perry in the war of 1812, whose father, Charles De Maranville, marched on the "Lexington Alarm" of April 19, 1775, from Freetown, Massachusetts. Robert and Tamsine (Bacon) Buflfum, who were among the first to espouse the Quaker religion and were persecuted for their faith, were ancestors, as were also William White, the eleventh signer of the Mayflower Compact, and who was the father of Peregrine White, the first child born of English parents in America; another ancestor was John Vassall, alderman of London in 1588, who fitted out, at his own expense, two ships of war, with which he joined the royal ships to oppose the "Spanish Armada." His son William Vassall came to America with Winthrop in 1630 and was a founder of the Massachusetts Bay colony, and was a member of the "Council of War" in 1642. All the above being lineal ancestors of the mother, Mrs. Irenia Chapin. The mother passed away in Farmington in 1900 at the advanced age of ninety-two years. For eighty years representatives of the name have not only taken an active part in promoting the development and progress in pioneer days, but also in bringing about the present-day growth and prosperity of Illinois.

Burrell N. Chapin spent his youthful days in Fulton county, where he attended the country schools, pursuing his studies in one of the old-time log schoolhouses in Farmington. At the age of eighteen years he spent one term in an academy. Subsequently he engaged in teaching school in the winter and worked at farm labor during the summer months. His time was thus passed until his marriage. He was only thirteen years of age when, in 1847, he was appointed to deliver the mail from Farmington to Macomb, Illinois. This was known as the pony mail and the distance covered was fifty miles each way. As the years passed Mr. Chapin resolved to become owner of a farm and the year 1860 saw the realization of his hope in his purchase of a tract of land in Oneida, Knox county, where he carried on general agricultural pursuits. He afterward purchased a tract of eighty acres near Farmington, Fulton county, Illinois, which he continued to cultivate until 1872, and then disposed of that property to purchase a farm near Knoxville, which he conducted until 1878. He then bought another farm in the vicinity of Knoxville, devoting his energies to the cultivation of the fields until 1892, when he took up his abode in the town of Knoxville and has since lived retired. As the years passed he kept adding to his landed possessions until he owned three hundred acres, most of which, however, he has since disposed of, and from his interests he derives a substantial annual income that relieves him from the necessity of further labor save the supervision of his investments.

It was on the 22d of September, 1857, that Mr. Chapin was united in marriage to Miss Cynthia J. Culver, who was bom near BuflFalo, Erie county. New York, June 24, 1838, a daughter of William and Susan W. (Kirby) Culver. The father was born near Auburn, New York, in 1802, and the house in which he first saw the light of day is still standing. The mother's birth occurred near New Bedford, Massachusetts. The father of Mrs. Chapin was a son of Joseph Culver, who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war, as was his father, Samuel Culver, and the family was of English descent. The mother of Mrs. Chapirj was a daughter of Silas Kirby, a native of Dartmouth, Massachusetts, whose father, Silas Kirby, Sr., bravely defended the cause of liberty in the Revolutionary war. Mrs. Chapin, therefore, is qualified for membership in the Daughters of the American Revolution in both the paternal and maternal lines. Her father followed the occupation of farming in the Empire state and on coming to Illinois settled in Salem township, Knox county, where he purchased a tract of land upon which he resided until the spring of i86i. He next purchased a farm near Henderson, Knox county, but afterward took up his abode on a farm near Wataga, where he resided until his retirement, after which he resided in Knoxville until his death, which occurred March 5, i88i. His widow long survived him, and died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Chapin on the 7th

. , - Unto Mr. and Mrs. Chapin were born four children. Edith A., who was born July 9, 1858, is now the wife of John D. McClure, of Knoxville. and they have one daughter, Edith M., who is the wife of Merrill Young and resides upon a farm east of Knoxville. Ida died at the age of three years. Eva J. married Charles Maple, of Maquon, who is postmaster of that place, and they . have two children, Newton M. and Ora S. Maple. Mr. Chapin's youngest

Both Mr. and Mrs. Chapin are consistent members of the Presbyterian church and are also members of the Knox County Mayflower Society, while Mrs. Chapin and her two daughters hold membership with the Lucretia Leffingwell Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. On the 22d of September, 1907, Mr. and Mrs. Chapin celebrated their golden wedding, on which occasion the ladies of the Presbyterian church of Knoxville served an

: excellent dinner while all the members of their family, their sons, daughters and grandchildren, were present - one hundred and forty in all. They have now traveled life's journey together for fifty-four years, their mutual love and confidence increasing as time has passed on. They are regarded as one of the most highly esteemed and worthy couples of the county, for their lives have ever been well spent in the faithful performance of duty and have been characterized by many good deeds. Mr. Chapin deserves much credit for the success which he has won, bringing him at last to a prominent position among the substantial

It has been said "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us is the measure of our success," and judged in this way the life of Rev. Frederick J. Dunn has been a most successful one, for as a minister of the gospel he has carried the glad tidings to many who have sat under his preaching and has influenced many lives for good. At the age of ninetythree years he is now living retired, an honored and venerable citizen of Knoxville. He was born in Oneida county. New York, May 22, 1819, a son of David and Philinda (Cady) Dunn, both of whom were natives of Oneida county, the former born November 14, 1791, and the latter August 5, 1796. In his early life the father worked as a farm hand but afterward learned the trades of a cooper and brick mason and worked along those lines in Oneida county and also in Herkimer and St. Lawrence counties. Subsequently he returned to Oneida county and after a short time removed to Lewis county, New York, where he made his home with his son Frederick and later also lived with his son Frederick in Illinois, passing away in Galva, Henry county, on the 28th of November, 1884, at the ripe old age of ninety-three years. He had long survived his wife who passed away at the home of her son, Frederick, on the i8th of January, 1858, when sixty-one years of age. The Rev. Dunn was at that time a resident of Rio, this county. The family included five daughters : Rhoda, now the deceased wife of Thomas Watson, of Knox county; Olive, who became the wife of Caleb H. Gates Brayton of St. Lawrence county. New York, who is now deceased ; Cornelia P., the widow of Thomas Homiston ; Jane Ann, who died in infancy ; and Sarah Jane, who married John Gibbs. She resided in Lewis county. New York, for a time and afterward removed to Cherokee county, Kansas, where both passed away.

The Rev. Frederick J. Dunn was the third in order of birth in the family. He acquired his preliminary education in the public schools of Herkimer county, New York, and afterward attended the Free Will Baptist Seminary at Clinton, Oneida county, New York. The founder of that college was Mr. Kellogg, who afterward became the first president of Knox College at Galesburg. In further pursuit of his education Mr. Dunn attended Whitesboro Academy in Oneida county. New York, and subsequently took up the profession of teaching, which he followed through the winter seasons while in the summer months he worked at farm labor. In June, 1853, he arrived in Knox county, Illinois, first settling in Ontario, where he remained for ten years. On the expiration of that period he removed to Rio township and in company with Michael Metcalf built a sawmill in Henderson Grove which they conducted for one summer and then sold. Mr. Dunn next purchased a farm and continued to engage in the cultivation of the fields for several years. In 1858 he was licensed to preach as a minister of the United Brethren church and mach of his life has been devoted to this holy calling. He was never absent from an annual conference during fifty-one years and is widely known to the membership of his denomination. He preached for four years at Mount Chappel, being there when the church was built. He has acted as minister in different churches in the county and other parts of the state and is now the oldest living minister in Knox county. For the past five years, however, he has lived retired in Knoxville and can look back over the past without regret and forward to the future without fear because his life has been an element for good in the communities, where he has resided. His zealous support of the cause of Christianity has aroused the interest and cooperation of others and his work has been of no restricted order.

On the 4th of March, 1846, in Oneida county. New York, the Rev. Dunn was united in holy bonds of matrimony to Miss Susan P. Wetmore, who was born in that county July 13, 1823, and was a daughter of Ezra and Susan Wetmore, natives of Rhode Island, who removed to New York in early life. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Dunn were the following children. Lucia is the wife of Theo. Madison, a resident of the state of Washington, and they have one son, Frederick. William E., now living in Rio township, married Miss Addie Haskins and has two children, Roswell E. and Clark. Marian is the wife of William Wilson, of Kansas City, Kansas, and they have six children. May, Eva, George, Lucia, Nina and William. Roswell died June 3, 1882. The mother of these children passed away March 24, 1864, and in Henderson, Illinois, the Rev. Dunn was again married, on the I5th of February, 1865, his second union being with Maria Ryan, a native of Franklin county, Pennsylvania. They had two children: Frank A., deceased; and Frederick, a resident of Chicago who married Elsie Naly and has one child, Dorothy. Again Mr. Dunn was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife, who died February 22, 1895, and on the 23d of September, 1897, he married Margaret E. Wallich, who was born in this county, April i6, 1854, and is a daughter of Jacob and Martha Wallich, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of German and the latter of Irish descent. Such in brief is the life history of Frederick J. Dunn, a man widely and favorably known in Knox county and honored wherever known. By precept and example he has taught the better things of life and his influence and teaching have led many to choose those things which are worth while and have actual value as factors -in character building.

The agricultural interests of Lynn township have a worthy representative in Albert William Hamerstrand, who was born in that township on the 5th of February, 1878, his parents being John and Anna (Collison) Hamerstrand. The father was born in Smaland, Sweden, May 29, 1840, and until he came to America at the age of twenty-eight years, was engaged in the carpenter's trade in Stockholm. Upon arriving in America he went directly to Altona, where he was employed by a railway but subsequently took up farming for Robert Wilber near Victoria. Later he was with C. Appell, but after seven years' employ rented the farm upon which his son Albert was born. He erected the house upon this place, and its substantiability attests his ability as a carpenter. Having in the course of eight years rented three different farms, he then purchased the farm on which they lived for twenty-three years, until the spring of 1909, when they retired and purchased a residence in Galva, Illinois, where they now reside, leaving the cultivation of the farm to their son, Albert William, who has now made it his home for over twenty-six years. Mrs. Hamerstrand was born the 3d of August, 1858, at Vester, Gotland, Sweden, and came to this country with her parents at the age of ten she being the oldest of eight children, and a daughter of Andrew Magnus Collison. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Hamerstrand are: Albert William, who is the subject of this sketch: Elma, who is the wife of Nels Henrikson, an agriculturist of Lynn township and who has one child ; and Fern, who is residing with her parents.

After finishing his common-school education Albert Hamerstrand assisted his father in the cultivation of the home farm but subsequently attended the Galva high school for one year, and later the Augustana Business College of Rock Island, from which he was graduated. After finishing these various courses he took up active farming and remained at home. His ability and progressiveness were of great value to his father, and together they cultivated one of the most profitable and highly productive farms in the township. On the nth of January, 1905, Mr. Hamerstrand was married to Emily Elizabeth Johnson, the daughter of Hans and Betsy Johnson, born on the 24th of March, 1882. Hans and Betsy Johnson were the parents of three children: Arthur and

Emanuel, who are residing at home, and Mrs. Hamerstrand. Mr. and Mrs. Hamerstrand are the parents of one son, Maurice William, born October 25, in 1905.

The republican party, with its progressive and successful measures of prosperity, and its ardent support of many of the policies which have brought about our national welfare, has won Mr. Hamerstrand's allegiance. He is at present serving as township clerk, an office which he has held for eleven years. He also holds the office of school director and telephone director. Both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Galva, in which the former has served as auditor for many years and the latter has been an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society.

Sweden has frequently sent men to Knox county whose thrift, industry and progressiveness have aided materially in developing the natural resources of the county. Of these none have been more active than the Hamerstrands, who have always been energetic, diligent and untiring in their efforts to fulfill the duties which lay before them in their agricultural pursuits. By his close application to work and living in accordance with the strictest principles of integrity and honor, Mr. Hamerstrand has won for himself the respect and esteem of his fellow citizens.

One of the thoroughly progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Truro township is Albert Leng, who owns and operates two hundred and ninety-five acres of land, located three miles north of Williamsfield. He was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, on July 2, 1841, and is a son of John and Ann (Woodall) Leng, who always made their home in the mother country, the father having passed away when our subject was a child of three years.

Albert Leng was educated in the common schools of England, where he resided until he had attained the age of twenty-nine years. Being an enterprising and ambitious young man, America had always appeared very attractive to him, as he felt convinced from the reports he had received, that better opportunities must be afforded for advancement here than in his native country, so in 1870 he took passage for the United States. When he arrived in this country he came directly to Illinois, first settling in Scott county, where he remained from June to October, when he went to Peoria county. He worked out as a farm hand for a time, thus acquiring sufficient capital to purchase eighty acres of land that he operated with excellent success until 1885. In the latter year he again changed his location, this time becoming a resident of Knox county, purchasing a place in the vicinity of Rochester. He owned this and also the farm in Peoria county until 1892, when he disposed of both places and bought the property where he now lives. During the period of his ownership he has placed many improvements on his farm, including a commodious country residence, suitable barns and substantial outbuildings. He is a man of progressive ideas and practical methods and as his circumstances have permitted has added to the comfort and convenience of his homestead by the introduction of various modern appliances and

Emanuel, who are residing at home, and Mrs. Hamerstrand. !Mr. and Mrs. Hamerstrand are the parents of one son. Maurice William, born October 25, in

The republican jmrty, with its progressive and successful measures of prosperity, and its ardent support of many of the policies which have brought about our national welfare, has won Mr. Hamerstrand's allegiance. He is at present serving as township clerk, an ofifice which he has held for eleven years. He also holds the office of school director and telephone director. Both he and his wife are members of the Swedish Lutheran church of Galva, in which the former has served as auditor for many years and the latter has been an active member of the Ladies' Aid Society.

Sweden has fre(|uently sent men to Knox county whose thrift, industry and progressiveness have aided materially in developing the natural resources of , the county. Of these none have been more active than tlie Hamerstrands, . who have al\va>'s lieen energetic, diligent and untiring in their efforts to fulfill the duties which lay before them in their agricultural pursuits. By his close application to work and living in accordance with the strictest principles of integrity and honor, Mr. Hamerstrand has won for himself the respect and .; esteem of his fellow citizens.

Albert Lexg

One of the thoroughly progressive and enterprising agriculturists of Truro township is Albert Leng, who owns and operates two hundre*! and ninety-five acres of land, located three miles north of WilliamsHeld. He was born in Scarborough, Yorkshire, England, on July 2, 1841, and is a son of John and Ann (Woodall) Leng, who always made their home in the mother country, the father having passed away when our subject was a child of three years. : :