Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 51 of 56)

David Nelson McMaster, who is residing on his farm in" Walnut Grove Township, was born in Knox county on January i8, 1865, ^"^ Js the son of John McMaster, a prominent farmer who is living in Altona, and of whose life a sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.

In his youth David McMaster attended the schools in his district and assisted his father on the home farm which was one of the best developed and most highly productive properties in the tovvnship. In the discharge of these duties he showed a ready and willing spirit and a keen appreciation of the principles of agriculture which were at that time proving so successful. After he farmed independently he put much of his past experience into practice and at the same time advanced with the age, becoming one of the progressive fanners of the township. ;: - J ^;

On the gth of December, 1896, Mr. McMaster was married to May Bell Thompson. She was born on the 22nd of April, 1869, on the old Thompson homestead in Walnut Grove township, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. David Thompson. The father was born December 6, 1835, and died September II, 1894, at the age of fifty-eight years and nine months. Her uncle, John Thompson, was the first white child born in Knox county. He came to Knox county with his wife, Catherine Livingston, and located at Altona, Illinois, where they were among the first settlers. David Thompson removed to Altona, Knox county, from Ohio, when a mere boy. His whole life has been spent in farming in this region. He was married to Catherine Richmond, whose birth occurred in West Virginia, on the 22nd of September, 1845. She is the daughter of Joseph and Susan Richmond, the former having been in the service in the Civil war for three years after his enlistment in 1862 in Company G of the Eighty-ninth Regi- ' ment under Captain Whiting. Although he contracted a serious illness during the war he still -remained with his regiment, serving as teamster until his time expired. After he was mustered out of service he returned to his farm and entered actively into the work of its cultivation and development. He gave his political allegiance to the democratic party, but never held office.

;- . In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson were the following children: Joseph E., who is living in Des Moines, Iowa; Harry J., a resident of Valparaiso, Indiana ; Roy D., whose home is in Greeley, Colorado ; William, a fanner living at Altona; Susan, the deceased wife of Charles Sawyer; John, deceased; and May Bell, who is now the wife of Mr. McMaster and remained at home until the time of her marriage. She is an active and helpful member of the Presbyterian church at Altona and belongs to its Ladies Aid Society.

Mr. McMaster also holds membership in the church and is an exemplary rep- ; resentative of the Masonic fraternity, his membership being in Altona Lodge, No. 330, F. & A. M. His political allegiance is given to the republican party, but he has never been a seeker after public office. The cause of education finds in him a warm friend, and he is now serving as president of the township school board. In many ways, however, he has displayed his loyalty to the best interests of the community, and that he is a citizen of enterprise is indicated in the fact that he has not confined his attention alone to the work of the farm but has . extended his efforts to other lines in which the public has been a direct bene- ' ; ficiary. Realizing how valuable telephone service would be to the farming com- V munity he joined with others in organizing the Farmers' Telephone Company ; of which he is the president, and he is also the president of the Farmers' Grain Association. His ability as a business man is thus attested, and at the same time his labors have proven an element of public convenience and prosperi^ as well :-; as a source of individual success. ; . - -;. i -.:---- .\.

Among Illinois' fast diminishing ranks of Civil war veterans James Rebstock, a :- retired farmer of Knox county, is well known as a man whose unwavering courage and loyal service when a private won for him not only the admiration of his fellow soldiers, but the recognition of President Lincoln, who bestowed upon him the rank of first lieutenant of the Eighth United States Artillery. James Rebstock was only twenty-one years old when the war broke out, his birth having occurred March 14, v 1839, in Tuscarawas county, Ohio. '

Left an orphan at the age of seven James Rebstock experienced some lonely - years in which he was buffeted about by fate, living with various people at differ- ' ent times and in various kinds of homes. He did succeed, however, in obtaining something of an education, desultory though it was, attending school in Ohio, in Indiana and lastly in Illinois, in which places he made his home successively. At ' the outbreak of the Civil war he enlisted in Company G, Eighty-third Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and served two years and five days as a private, being then com- y missioned by President Lincoln first lieutenant in the Eighth United States Artil- v lery. He was mustered out March 13, 1866, when he was discharged at Louisville, Kentucky, and then returned to Gilson, Illinois, where he followed farming. In 1867 he acquired the farm on which he is now living retired and now owns alto- /- gether three hundred and fifty acres on section 8, in Haw Creek township, Knox ;= county. This he cultivated with much care and by the use of progressive methods -' of tilling the soil and of practicing scientific economy he was enabled to make a ^- comfortable living and also to save enough to permit him to retire and enjoy the fruits of his long-continued and faithful labors. He has his farming done by a tenant and devotes himself to the many interests which claim his attention in military and educational circles and as stockholder of the First National Bank of Maquon, Illinois. : -: ''L'.';. :-;-;- v ; ' ::

In July, 1866, one year before he became the owner of his present farm, Mr. Rebstock was united in the bonds of matrimony to Mrs. Salinda (Lotts) Pickrel. She was a daughter of Isaac Lotts of Haw Creek township, and the widow of Solomon Pickrel and was born June 24, 1830. By her union with Mr. Pickrel there were five children, all of whom are living. They are Minerva, Amarillis, Marshall, Stephen S., and Solomon Pickrel. There were no children born of her union with Mr. Rebstock. Mrs. Rebstock belonged to the Methodist Episcopal church in which she was an earnest worker. After a life well spent in service to others and in the administration of her home she passed away January 20, 1911, at the age of eighty years, six months and twenty-six days, and was laid to rest in the Gilson cemetery.

In his political views James Rebstock is a republican and has been chosen by his party to the office of supervisor which he held for twenty-four years, being for five years of this time the chairman of the board of supervisors of Haw Creek township. He was also elected to other offices which he filled with honor, and is the president of the Haw Creek township high school board. In his religious faith he is a loyal worshiper in the Methodist Episcopal church to which he belongs. He is well known in military organizations of the state and is a member of the George N. Trafton Post, G. A. R., of Knoxville, Illinois.

An interesting document that throws light on James Rebstock's military career and also settles a long disputed point of controversy is an affidavit drawn up by J. N. Hogue in which he answers the question : "Who fired .the first siege gun at Fort Donelson on the I3th of February, 1862." "I, J. N. Hogue of Burchard, Nebraska, late member of Company B, Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, do hereby certify that James Rebstock. of Company G. of the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry, filled the position of No. 3 on siege gun No. 32, on February 13, 1862, at the battle of Fort Donelson in Tennessee and fired that day and he also fired it when two rebels were killed at the muzzle of the gun on said day. I, J. N. Hog^e, was gimner at the time and know all the circumstances of the above statement. .'.--.- ''-'''''.--;--: ---:. /--.- "':f.-^ ''-^-'.''---'^- ]- -^ . -

To win recognition as a valiant soldier, as a prosperous farmer and as a capable merchant shows not only versatility, but also indicates the adaptability and concentrated effort which compel success. For this reason George M. Sornborger who has distinguished himself in such a varied record commands our unqualified admiration. A native of Victoria township, Knox county, he has remained a resident of this county all his life, and for the last fifteen years has lived in Victoria, Copley township, where he is engaged in the mercantile business. He was born April i, 1841, a son of Anson Sornborger, who moved from his native place, Dutchess county. New York, in the year 1838, coming with his parents to Victoria township, Knox county, Illinois. Like his father he followed farming as a pursuit, buying sixty acres of land in 1842. He sold this after a time and in 1849 bought another farm near Copley, where he lived till the end. He married Miss Catherine VVilber, also a native of Dutchess county. New York, and who accompanied Martin Van Buren's family to Illinois, where they settled in Victoria township when she was a young girl. She was a daughter of John Wilber and Dorothy (Freimeyer) Wilber. Of the family of Mr. and Mrs. Anson Sornborger, George M., the subject of this biography, and two brothers survive: F. W. Sornborger, who lives in Geddes, South Dakota; and Charles, residing in Victoria township. The grandfather, George Sornborger, was born in Holland and came to this country with his parents dur- . ing colonial times. His wife was Miss Catherine Wolcott, of English lineage. By occupation he was a farmer and mechanic and during the Revolution took up arms in the cause of freedom. He is buried in Victoria cemetery, Knox county, the only Revolutionary war hero in any cemetery in this part of the county. His death occurred in 1840.

George M. Sornborger had a common-school education. At twenty-one he enlisted in the Eighty-third Illinois Infantry from Knox county, under the command of Colonel Harding of Monmouth, Illinois, a company which remained with General Grant for three years. Mr. Sornborger remained until their famous engagement at Fort Donelson, afterward becoming ill with pneumonia and on that account he had to be discharged after serving eleven months and seventeen days. He returned home and when sufficiently recovered to work, he took up farming and followed this for more than thirty years. He owned his farm and made a comfortable income in general farming and cattle raising. - During this time he saw the wild prairies of Illinois transformed into beautiful tracts of cultivated land and the old difficult methods of transportation replaced by the railroads built through aknost every county of the state. His father used to tell of the early hardships and difficulties with which the farmers had to contend, how, for example, he took his grain clear in to the Chicago markets by team and there sold it for fifty cents a bushel. In 1896 George M. Sorn- .' ,; borger sold of his land, one hundred and sixty of his two hundred acres. His sons Claude and Floyd are now operating the old farm. Upon his withdrawal', 'from agricultural labors he removed to Victoria and opened a general merchan-,,- ; dise store which he has conducted since 1896. "^ "' J *' ^ '. - ;

The marriage of Mr. George M. Sornborger and Miss Frances E. Suydam occurred October 12, 1865. Born in New York state, she was a daughter of . John G. and Henrietta (Cholette) Suydam. who removed from New York to Victoria township, this county, in 1849. Mr. Suydam enlisted in the Eighty- - third Illinois Infantry, the same company to which Mr. Sornborger belonged, and died for the Union June 6, 1863. Miss Frances E. Suydam's paternal . grandparents were Mr. and Mrs. Abraham (Smith) Suydam, natives of New York, while those on the mother's side were D. C. and Sarah (Mire) Cholette.

Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. George M. Sornborger, all of whom are living. They are: Clarence T., aged forty-four, who is married to . Anna Doak and operates a farm in Copley township ; George A., who is married to Nellie Hanson and lives in Copley township; Lolette Kate, residing at Nekoma, Illinois, the wife of W. Woodcock, and mother of two children, Ross : and Bertha; Mary, the wife of Alfred Sanquist, who resides in Victoria township; Claude and Floyd, who live on their father's old place, the latter being married to Edith Johnson, of which union there is one child; Grace, the wife of C. A. Carlson, a farmer of Victoria township, and the mother of two children, Doris M. and Charles William ; Fern, who is the wife of Emery Anderson, a farmer, of Dakota and has three children, \'era C., Clarence G. and Maurice G.

George M. Sornborger is well known in military organizations of the state, being a member of P. G. Tate Post No. 678, G. A. R., of Victoria, Illinois, and is now serving as commander of that post for his second term. From the time of casting his first vote, which was for Abraham Lincoln, he has been a consistent republican in his political faith and has been elected to office several times, once as assessor and for two terms as collector. Mr. Sornborger is a man of genial temperament and in his public and private relations has never failed to adhere to the principles of honor and truth which have constituted his guiding rule of life.

William Henry Gibbs, a well known citizen of Galva, Illinois, is a native of Knox county, his birth occurring in Lynn township, January 27, 1843. He comes of a family of Quaker origin, which was founded in America at the time William Penn and his colony settled in Pennsylvania. Our subject's paternal grandfather, Martin Gibbs, was a native of Camden county. New Jersey, in which state he engaged in the sawmill business prior to coming to Illinois with 'the father of our subject in September, 1838. They located upon what became known as the old Gibbs homestead in Lynn township, Knox county. Here the grandfather erected a sawmill in 1849 and engaged in its operation. He and his son occupied a double log house during those pioneer days. He married Hannah Beck and they were prominently identified with the early development of this section of the state.

Jonathan Gibbs, the father of our subject, was born in Camden county, New Jersey, December 22, 1808, and remained with his parents until he had attained his majority, when he commenced learning the glass-blower's trade, following that occupation for nine years. As previously stated, he came to Knox county in September, 1838, and upon the home farm in Lynn township spent the remainder of his life. In connection with farming he assisted in the operation of the sawmill, which was the first erected in his part of the county. On coming to this state he was accompanied by his wife and one child, for he had previously married Tamar Norcross on the I4th of August, 1832. She was bom May ii, 1812, and was a daughter of Joseph and Martha (Duball) Norcross, being one of their seven children. Her death occurred July 15, 1900.

To Mr. and Mrs. Jonathan Gibbs were born nine children, of whom four are still living, namely: Phoebe, the wife of A. O. Bradley, of La Fayette, Illinois; Qayton A., who is connected with the Hayes Works at Galva; Richard F., of Lynn township; and William Henry, of this review. Jonathan Gibbs died September i6, 1889.

William H. Gibbs was reared and educated in much the usual manner of farmer boys and remained under the parental roof until twenty-two years of age, assisting in the work of the farm. He then went to La Fayette, where he engaged in business as a contractor in mason work until 1888. He was next employed as fireman on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad and later was promoted to engineer, in which capacity he served until 1901. For one year he had charge of the City Water Works of Galva and in 1909 entered the employ of the Hayes Manufacturing Ccwnpany of that place, with which he is still connected. \ v -; -'.I:-'.'' :: ';

On the I2th of May, 1864, Mr. Gibbs was united in marriage to Miss Julia A. Grant, who was born in Stark county, Illinois, August 30, 1844. Her father, Nelson Grant, who was a farmer by occupation and a native of New York state, was born on the i6th of February, i8io, and died February 27, 1892, in Stark county, Illinois. Her mother, who bore the maiden name of Mary Chatfield, was born November lo, 1814, and died May 12, 1906. Mr. and Mrs. Gibbs have become the parents of three children : Cora May, who is the wife of Herman R. Pelz, a traveling salesman living in Peoria; Clara Alice, the wife of Thomas E. Chilton, who is a native of England and a salesman for the Challenge Company of Batavia, living in Galva, Illinois ; and Claude Irvin, a molder by trade, who married Alice Peterson, a daughter of John S. Peterson, of Galva, in which city they make their home. Mr. Gibbs has one grandchild, Dorothy May Chilton, who was bom April 4, 1903, and is now attending school. By his ballot Mr. Gibbs supports the men and measures of the republican party and he has taken an active interest in local affairs. He served on the school board in Lynn township and his support is never withheld from any enterprise which he believes will prove of public benefit.

p. A. Sunwall, a successful agriculturist who makes a specialty of buying, selling and raising stock, is the owner of a fine farm of one hundred and thirty acres, located two miles north of Williamsfield. He is a native of Knox county, his birth having occurred in Truro township, in 1871, and a son of Jonas and Anna (Peterson) Sunwall, natives of Sweden. The father was bom in Helsingland in 1826, and there he passed the first forty-three years of his life. Having heard many favorable reports regarding the opportunities and advantages afforded to enterprising men in the United States, in 1869, together with his wife and family, Jonas Sunwall took passage for the new world. Upon his arrival in this country he came directly to Knox county, settling on a farm in Truro township to the further development of which he devoted his energies until age compelled his retirement from active life. He passed away in 1907 at the venerable age of eighty-two years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sunwall numbered four: Nelson J., a resident of Texas; P. A., the subject of this sketch; Jennie M., of Colorado; and a son who died in infancy. ' The period of his boyhood and youth, P. A. Sunwall spent on his father's farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. Like other farmer lads he was early assigned chores about the barn and fields, his duties increasing as his strength developed with the passing years. By the time he Jiad attained his maturity he was a good practical agriculturist, having long been accustomed to plowing, sowing and harvesting the fields under the competent direction of his father. When qualified to begin farming for himself he undertook the operation of the home place, where he is now living and has met with increasing prosperity in its cultivation. His fields are rich and fertile and annually yield abundant harvests that well repay him for the labor expended in their cultivation. In addition to his general fanning, Mr. Sunwall also raises and buys stock, that he ships to the Chicago and St. Louis markets. He has met with more than an average degree of success. In taking care of the soil and in the conservation of its fertility he follows the plans of the State University and is a faithful adherent of Professor Hopkins, whom he considers the foremost exponent of scientific soil renovation in the world. In his experiments with various crops Mr. Sunwall was the first in this section of the country to obtain satisfactory results in planting his land to alfalfa. He considers this legume the most valuable the farmer can raise and is proud to be set down as the pioneer alfalfa grower in these parts. During the period of his ownership of his present place he has put thereon many improvements indicative of the spirit of enterprise and progress that has characterized his undertakings. ,V Ever since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. He has been called upon to discharge the duties of a number of township offices and for many years has been a school trustee. Keenly regretting the limited opportunities offered him in acquiring his own education he has become the earnest advocate of betterment in our school system and especially interests himself in bringing about the consolidation and grading of the country schools. Mr. Sunwall is unmarried. He is a man of enterprise and industry, whose success is attributable to intelligently directed effort.

W. B. Elliott lives on the old homestead of two hundred and fifty acres four and one-half mile north of Williamsfield, in Victoria township. He was born within a mile and one-half of where he now resides. May lo, 1866. His parents were Burgess and Achsah Ann (Rue) Elliott, the father a native of this county and the mother of Indiana. The father was born in 1837 and the mother in 1846. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, two of whom died in infancy. Our subject is the elder of the two surviving, the other being C. W.. who resides at 89 Arnold street, Galesburg. Burgess Elliott spent his entire life in this county, where for many years he was actively engaged in farming. His efforts at the venerable age of eighty-two years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Sun- . wall numbered four: Nelson J., a resident of Texas; P. A., the subject of this - sketch; Jennie M., of Colorado; and a son who died in infancy.

The period of his boyhood and youth, P. A. Sunwall spent on his father's farm, obtaining his education in the district schools. Like other farmer lads he was early assigned chores about the barn and fields, his duties increasing as his strength developed with the passing years. By tlie time he had attained - his maturity he was a good practical agriculturist, having long been accustomed to plowing, sowing and harvesting the fields under the competent direction of his father. When qualified to begin farming for himself he undertook the operation of the home place, where he is now living and has met with increasing prosperity in its cultivation. His fields are rich and fertile and annually yield abundant harvests that well repay him for the labor expended in their cultivation. In addition to his general farming. Mr. Sunwall also raises and buys - stock, that he ships to the Cliicago and St. Louis markets. He has met with ' more than an average degree of success. In taking care of the soil and in the conservation of its fertility he follows the plans of the State University and is a faithful adherent of Professor Hopkins, whom he considers the foremost exponent of scientific soil renovation in the world. In his experiments ,vith various crops Mr. Sunwall was the first in this section of the country to obtain satisfactory results in planting his land to alfalfa. He considers this legume the most valuable the farmer can raise and is proud to be set down as the pioneer alfalfa grower in these parts. During the period of hi? ownership of his present place he has put thereon many improvements indicative of the spirit of enterprise and progress that has characterized his undertakings.

Ever since age conferred upon him the right of franchise he has given his political support to the men and measures of the republican jjarty. He has been called upon to discharge the duties of a numlier of township offices and for many years has been a school trustee. Keenly regretting the limited opportunities offered him in acquiring his own education he has become the earnest advocate of betterment in our school system and especially interests himself in bringing about the consolidation and grading of the country schools. Mr. .Sunwall is unmarried. He is a man of enterprise and industry, whose success is attributable to intelligently directed effort.

W. R. Elliott lives on the old homestead of two hundred and fifty acres four and one-half mile north of Williamsfield. in Victoria township. He was born within a mile and one-half of where he now resides. May lo. 1866. His parents were Burgess and Achsah Ann (Rue) Elliott, the father a native of this county and the mother of Indiana. The father was born in 1837 and the mother in 1846. Four children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Elliott, two of whom died in infancy. Our subject is the elder of the two surviving, the other being C. W.. who resides at 89 Arnold street. Galesburg. Burgess Elliott spent his entire life in this county, where for many years he was actively engaged in farming. His efforts were crowned with success and he subsequently retired to Williamsfield, where he was living when he passed away at the age of seventy-one years.

Reared on his father's farm, W. B. Elliott obtained his preliminary education at his mother's knee, between the corn rows and in the district school. He attended Lombard College about a year and one-half and then spent three years at the State Normal University, completing the course in 1893. He spent seven years as teacher in the public schools of this state, being principal of schools at Saybrook, McLean county, Wyoming, Stark county, and Altona, Knox county. In 1895, while principal of the Altona school, Mr. Elliott turned his attention to agricultural pursuits, locating upon his father's farm, where he now lives. Here - he engages in general farming and stock-raising and is meeting with very good returns from both. Having been reared on a farm, he possessed the practical knowledge that well qualified him for his present undertaking. A man of good ., business judgment, he has applied himself intelligently to the direction of his -. activities along the more progressive lines of modern agriculture. He has erected several new buildings on the place and remodeled many of those that were there, installing various modern conveniences and improvements that have added greatly - to the comfort and attractiveness as well as the value of the property. In every respect it is a thoroughly up-to-date and model farm, manifesting in all its details . the careful supervision and capable direction that indicate system in its opera- . tion. Mr. Elliott owns one hundred and twenty acres about a mile from where he resides, having purchased this tract several years ago.

For his wife Mr. Elliott chose Miss Jeannette Armstrong. She was the ^ daughter of John and Mary (Montgomery) Armstrong, natives of Scotland, and was born at Darhead, Lanarkshire, Scotland, July lO, 1863. Her father was born in 1802 and died in 1885, while the mother was bom in 1828 and still resides in this county. They were married in 1852 and emigrated to America in 1867, locating in Victoria township, where the mother now lives. Mrs. Elliott was one of a family of nine children, of whom but three others survive, namely: x Mrs. Agnes Wycoff, of Peoria county; and James and Thomas, who live with their mother. W. B. Elliott and wife have become the parents of six children : Jennie Achsah, William Burgess, Edward Rue, Robert Montgomery, Charles Roland (deceased), and John Kenneth.

Mr. Elliott's fraternal relations are confined to his membership in the Modern Woodmen of America and the Royal Neighbors, his wife also being a member of the latter. He is a member of the Galesburg Club and maintains relations with . - his fellow agriculturists of Knox county through the medium of his membership ' in the Farmers' Institute, of which organization he has been president for the -> past two years. His political allegiance he gives to the republican party and now - represents Victoria township on the county central committee. All local political :; affairs engage his attention, and for two years he served as supervisor of Victoria township and he is now discharging the duties of justice of the peace, while for fifteen years he has been a member of the board of school directors. He has been a delegate to county and state conventions of his party. Mr. Elliott is a; representative modern agriculturist of progressive ideas, who believes that it requires as high a standard of intelligence, clear judgment and business sagacity to successfully direct the operation of a farm as any industrial enterprise. Agriculture is becoming recognized as one of the most lucrative as well as independ- ent vocations and is annually attracting a more intelligent and capable class of men, who realize that it is a business in which success is as dependent upon foresight, sagacity and specific information as any in the whole field of commercial or industrial activities.

Stephen Wyman

A well known agriculturist of Knox county, who is now living retired on his beautiful homestead located on section 20, Persifer township, is Stephen Wyman, whose holdings in this county aggregate four hundred and sixty-five J acres. He was born in Vinton county, Ohio, on the 2ist of June, 1834, and is a son of Arthur and Annie (Soltz) Wyman. The father was born in the state of New York, but when a lad of eight years he came to Ohio with his people, who passed the remainder of their lives in the Buckeye state. Arthur Wyman ' was reared and educated in Vinton county, and there he met and subsequently married Miss Soltz, who was a native of Ohio. They began their domestic life on a farm in that state, where Mr. Wyman continued to engage in agricultural pursuits until 1852. In the latter year with his wife and family he came to Illinois, settling in Knox county. He subsequently acquired the title of two hundred and forty acres of land in Persifer township, northeast of the farm of their son Stephen, and now the property of Harvey England. A man of much energy and determination of purpose, he industriously applied himself to the further improvement and cultivation of his property, erecting thereon a comfortable dwelling and good substantial barns and outbuildings. His farming was conducted along general lines, the greater part of his time and attention being devoted to stock-raising, which proved to be very lucrative. He passed away on his homestead at the age of sixty-seven and was buried at Westfall cemetery, as was also the mother, who was seventy-five at the time of her death. - They were members of the United Brethren church, and in his political views the father was a republican. He was always interested in all township affairs and served with efficiency in some of the minor offices. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Wyman numbered eleven, all of whom were born in Ohio. John, who passed away at the age of seventy years and was buried in Westfall cemetery in Persifer township, became one of the prosperous farmers of this county, owning at the time of his death eight hundred acres of land in Persifer township. He married twice, his first union being with Hannah Taylor, a daughter of Daniel Taylor, while for his second wife he chose Miss Katherine Mundwilder, who now resides in Knoxville. Minerva, the eldest daughter, married Noah Dawson, of Persifer township, and they are now both deceased. Edward J., who died at the age of sixty-nine years and was buried in Westfall cemetery, married Elizabeth Bradford. The next in order of birth died in infancy, and the fifth is Stephen, our subject. Levi died in Missouri, while in the Union army. Mary married Charley Taylor of Persifer township and they are now both deceased, as also are Eliza and Andrew, who were twins. Arthur, who was a volunteer in the Union service, died from yellow fever just after the battle of Vicksburg, and

The first eighteen years of his life, Stephen Wyman passed in his native state in whose common schools he obtained his education. He accompanied his parents on their removal to Knox county in 1852, and remained at home until he had attained his majority, assisting with the operation of the farm. When he was twenty-one he began working for himself, so capably and intelligently directing his activities that he met with excellent success in his agricultural pursuits. He kept adding to his holdings as he was able until he now owns ninety-two acres of land in Knox township, and three hundred and twenty on section 20 of Persifer, where he has resided for many years and fifty-three in section i8, making in all four hundred and sixty-five acres. The dominant factors in the success of Mr. Wyman have unquestionably been his perseverance and energy, which have been utilized to most excellent advantage. He is most ambitious and applies himself conscientiously and painstakingly to whatever he undertakes, striving to excel in everything. No effort has been spared in the development of his farm, all of which is now under high cultivation and well improved. He has erected good substantial buildings on his place, to the value of which he has added at various times by installing many modern conveniences and improvements. Both hi", residence and grounds afford a most attractive and pleasing appearance from the public highway and he has built a fine private road on his grounds with cement bridges across the culverts. In connection with general farming Mr. Wyman raised stock, making a specialty of hogs annually, making large shipments to the near-by markets.

Mr. Wyman has been married twice. His first wife was Miss Katherine Miner, a native of Indiana and a daughter of Thomas Miner, who resided in Knox county only one year, and they became the parents of seven children. In order of birth they are as follows : Richard, a resident of Knoxville, who married Annie Swanson ; Marion, who was drowned in the state of Washington ; Electra, the wife of Cornelius Ward; Thomas, who married Bessie Brandt and is residing in Abingdon, this state; George, who lives in the state of Washington; Sanford, who died in Oregon and is buried in Westfall cemetery; and Viola, who died at the age of nine months. The mother died on the farm where she had passed the period of her married life and was laid to rest in the family lot at Westfall. She was a fine Christian character and held membership in the United Brethren church. Mr. Wyman subsequently married Miss Erma F. Rambo, who was born in Peoria, and is a daughter of George Rambo. They have five children: Jasper Newton, who is living in the northwestern part of Colorado; Walter Stephen, who is operating the home farm; Iva, the wife of Norman Arbogast, of Galesburg; Hattie, who married Martin O'Connor and is living in Galesburg, Illinois ; and Lewis, who married Mary Arthur and is living in Douglas, Illinois.

Ever since granted the right of franchise upon attaining his majority, Mr. Wyman has g^ven his political support to the men and measures of the republican party. He has never prominently figured in township aflFairs but he has given efficient service as a school director. Progressive and enterprising in matters of citizenship he takes a deep interest in all movements that he feels will benefit the community and assists in promoting their adoption. He is now rated as one of the prosperous agriculturists of his township, but the struggle to attain this position was fraught with much self-denial and years of unceasing labor. Upon him developed the hardships and discouragements that fall to the lot of the majority of people, and the money to provide some of the necessary improvements on his place was borrowed at an exorbitant rate of interest. However, he possessed those qualities that refuse to recognize defeat and kept persistently ahead until he had attained the goal. Now in addition to his valuable property he has a comfortable competence and is a stockholder in the Appleton & Victoria Telephone Company. Mr. Wyman is a man of many fine sterling qualities, the worth of which have been thoroughly tested during the long period of his residence in Knox county and never found wanting.

Jennie H. Reynolds, wife of the late Peter G. Reynolds, who during his lifetime was associated with agricultural interests in Knox county, resides on the farm which her husband operated for many years, a tract of one hundred and twenty acres in Sparta township. She was born in Knoxville, Illinois, January 29, 1864. Her father, Robert Higgins. who lives at Knoxville and is in his seventy-third year, is a native of Belfast, Ireland, arriving in America at the age of fourteen years. His parents located at Knoxville, Illinois, and there he was brought up to follow farming and also learned the butcher's trade, following this dual occupation until his retirement a number of years ago. He married Elizabeth Wallace, also a native of Ireland, and they had ten children, five boys and five girls, of whom two are deceased. The living are : Jennie, the subject of this review; Robert, residing in Minnesota; Samuel, living at home; Mayme, the wife of J. B. Grounds of Denver, Colorado; Martha, the wife of Ray Van Tassel, of Flint, Michigan; James and Charles, living in La Junta, Colorado; and Belle, the wife of A. Humphrey of Minnesota.

After the usual education in the public schools of her native locality Jennie H. Higgins remained at home for a time and in April, 1893, was united in marriage to Peter G. Reynolds. He was bom on the old homestead in Sparta township in 1860 and was a son of E. B. Reynolds, at present a resident of Galesburg. Reared in the locality in which he passed his entire life he obtained his education here attending first the district schools of Sparta township and later Lombard College at Galesburg. He engaged in agriculture operating his father's farm for a number of years. He then farmed on his own account and after his marriage purchased the farm where Mrs. Reynolds is now living. Here he followed the pursuits of general farming and feeding cattle for market, meeting with substantial rewards for his untiring toil. In politics he was an ardent democrat and served for many terms as a director on the school board and as road commissioner. On August 3, 1898, Mr. Reynolds passed away after a lingering illness of two years, and although he had suffered long his untimely death came as a great shock to his family, for he had been a good husband and a devoted

Mrs. Reynolds is a member of the Christian church of Knoxville, the faith to which her husband also belonged. He maintained fraternal relations with the Masonic order having been a member of the Knoxville lodge. Occupied with the responsibilities of motherhood, educating her children, seeing that they may be provided with the opportunities which will enable them to make their way in the world, the years of widowhood have passed rapidly for Mrs. Reynolds and have softened her grief and the loneliness that follows the bereavement of dear

Born in Yates City, Illinois, Owen Betterton West has been a resident of Knox county his entire life,- the date of his birth being August I, 1869. His father, Isaac N. West, was born in Clinton county, Ohio, in 1835, and came to Yates City with his parents, John and Elizabeth (George) West, who settled two miles north of Yates City on a farm which he owned, comprising one thousand acres of land, and grew to manhood in Elba township. John West was also a native of Clinton county, Ohio, being born May 3, 1809. His first American ancestor was Owen West, a brother to the father of Benjamin West, the celebrated artist, and was born in London, England, in 1729 and came to America in 1761, settling in Georgia. He was widely known for the strong views he held in opposition to slavery. Isaac N. West was twice married, his first wife being Charlotte Hull ; he was married the second time to Eliza Ann Mason, a daughter of Jeremiah and Eliza (Sayler) Mason, who lived in Knox county, where Mrs. West was reared, although she claimed Ohio as her native state. There were nine children in the West family, of whom the following are still living: Charles, married to Susan Nixon, resides in Miami, Oklahoma, where he is engaged in the real-estate business; Owen B. ; Nora, the wife of Frederick Soldwell, who resides in Yates City; and William Edwin, who operates a grain elevator in Yates City. The deceased are : Marion, Edith, Josephine and two who died in infancy. By his fornver union to Miss Charlotte Hull, Mr. West had a daughter. Charlotte, the wife of Frank Chamberlain, a merchant in Yates City. I. N. West resided north of Yates City where he owned a very fine farm of three hundred and twenty acres in Salem township, operating this until his death at the age of forty-eight years. He was not a politician but was loyal in his support of the republican policies. Mrs. West passed away at the age of seventy years and three months.

Owen B. West obtained his education in the common schools of Salem township and attended Lombard College, after which he took a course at Brown's Business College, at Peoria, Illinois. His first work was in the fields but he remained at this only a short time when he engaged in the grain business in Yates City meeting with much success in the enterprise. His desire to return to agricultural labors, however, and a good offer made him by M. W. Thompson induced him to sell his grain interests - which Mr. Thompson later sold to

William Edwin West, Owen West's brother - and again resume the carefree and independent life on a farm. Being progressive and modern in his methods of cultivating the soil and breeding cattle he found much profit in this work and continued it until the spring of 191 1 when he located in Yates City where he now lives. He is interested in several local business enterprises and is the president of the Farmer's Telephone Company.

The marriage of Mr. West and Miss Alpha Van Tassell occurred on March 14, 1895. She was a native of Peoria, Illinois, her parents being William W. Van Tassell, born in New York city, and Jane (Boardman) Van Tassell, born in England. Mr. Van Tassell brought his wife as a bride to Stark county, Illinois, and later removed to Peoria, where he lived for forty years, being employed on the railroad during much of that time and for a number of years was employed as government store keep>er for the internal revenue department of the United States. He was an old soldier, having enlisted for the first time from New York and for the second time from Stark county, Illinois. At the time of his discharge he was a sergeant. He was a republican in politics and with his family belonged to the Methodist chilrch. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two and his wife's at the age of sixty-five years. They had eight children of whom six are still living, Mrs. West being the only one of the number residing in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of two children: Lloyd Alvin, born March 14, 1896; and Harriet Florine, bom November 21, 1903. . . '-

In his political views Mr. West is a republican and was elected on the party ticket in the spring of 1910 to the office of supervisor, his term continuing until 1912. At previous times he has held the offices of assessor of Salem township, member of the board of auditors of Salem township, alderman, and mayor of Yates City. He is a Mason being a member of the Yates City lodge in which he has passed through all the chairs. . , , . .....

James Cation was born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1821, and died in Williamsfield, Illinois, in 1904, his parents being William and Margaret (Paul) Cation. The family were well known silk weavers of that country and were engaged in hand weaving fine Paisley shawls. In the land of his nativity James Cation was reared and educated and in 1843 accompanied his parents on their emigration to the United States, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel which encountered a severe storm while passing through the West Indies. The rigging of the vessel was torn away and lost, and for nine weeks they drifted but finally landed in New Orleans, whence they made their way to Peoria, Illinois.

The father of our subject settled on a farm on section 26, Millbrook township, Peoria county, and James Cation subsequently purchased the land which his father had obtained from the government. It was in 1870 that James Cation came to Knox county and located on a farm in Elba township, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1892. He then retired from active labor and removed to Williamsfield, where he passed away at the age of eighty-three years.

William Edwin West, Owen West's brother - and again resume the carefree and independent life on a farm. Being progressive and modern in his methods of cultivating the soil and breeding cattle he found much profit in this work and continued it until the spring of 1911 when he located in Yates City where he now lives. He is interested in several local business enterprises and is the president of the Farmer's Telephone Company.

The marriage of Mr. West and Miss Alpha \'an Tassell occurred on March 14. 1895. She was a native of Peoria, Illinois, her parents being William W. Van Tassell, born in Xew ^'ork city, and Jane (Boardman) \'an Tassell, born in England. Mr. \'an Tassell brought his wife as a bride to Stark county, Illinois, and later removed to Peoria, where he lived for forty years, being employed on the railroad during much of that time and for a number of years was employed as government store keeper for the internal revenue department of the United States. He was an old soldier, having enlisted for the first time from Xew York and for the second time from Stark county, Illinois. At the time of his discharge he was a sergeant. He was a republican in politics and with his family belonged to the Methodist church. His death occurred at the age of seventy-two and his wife's at the age of sixty-five years. They had eight children of whom six are still living, Mrs. West being the only one of the number residing in Knox county. Mr. and Mrs. West are the parents of two children: Lloyd Alvin, born March 14, 1896; and Harriet Florine, born November 21, 1903. . . _ t

In his political views Mr. \\'est is a repubh'can and was elected on the party ticket in the spring of 1910 to the office of supervisor, his term continuing until 1912. At previous times he has held the offices of assessor of Salem township, member of the board of auditors of Salem township, alderman, and mayor of Yates City. He is a Mason being a member of the Yates City lodge in which he has passed through all the chairs.

James Cation was born in (ilasgow. Scotland, in 1821, and died in Williamsfield. Illinois, in 1904. his parents being William and Margaret (Paul) Cation. The family were well known silk weavers of that country anrl were engaged in hand weaving tine Paisley shawls. In the land of his nativity James Cation was reared and educated and in 1843 acc()ni])anied his parents on their emigration to the United .States, the voyage being made in a sailing vessel which encountered a severe storm while passing through the \\'cst Indies. The rigging of the vessel was torn away and lost, and for nine- \vctk-i tliey drifted but finally landed in New Orleans, whence they made their way to Peoria, Illinois.

The father of our subject settled on a farm cm section 26. Millbrook townshi]), Peoria county, and James Cation subsefjuently purchased the land which his father had obtained from the government. It was in 1870 that James Cation came to Knox countv and located on a farm in l-^lba township, where he engaged in agricultural jjursuits until 1892. He then retired from active labor and removed to Williamsfield, where he passe<l away at the age of eighty-three years.

He was a member of the Presbyterian church and was formerly a republican in politics but later came a free-trade democrat. He took, a very prominent and active part in township affairs and held a number of minor offices. He was successful in business and was a man honored and esteemed by all who knew him. In 1855 he married Catherine Gray, who was also born in Glasgow, Scotland, in 1838, and came to America in 1852 with a brothes and two sisters, her parents having died in Scotland. She still resides in Williamsfield and is an earnest member of the Methodist Episcopal church. To Mr. and Mrs. Cation were born eight children, namely: David, of Williamsfield, Illinois; William, a resident of Knoxville, Illinois; Alex, who lives in Walla Walla, Washington; John, of Elba township, Knox county; one who died in childhood; James L., a banker who died in Arizona at the age of thirty-seven years ; Charles, who died in Oregon ; and Mary, who died at the home of her parents when a young woman.

Oyde H. Machen, senior partner of the firm of Machen Brothers, wholesale and retail dealers in fuel, feed, flour and hay, at 133 East Waters street, Galesbur^, was bom in Columbus, Texas, on January 24, 1882. His parents are Henry S. and Mary J. (Brower) Machen, the father a native of Illinois and the mother of Pennsylvania. Henry S. Machen was born in Peotone, Will county, and there he was also reared. He was given the benefit of very good educational advantages and when old enough to become self-supporting engaged in teaching. This profession engaged his attention for several years, but having decided upon a commercial career he subsequently went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, where he became identified with the lumber business. Later he was appointed manager of a large plantation and lumber mill in Texas, that he operated for a time and then went into the oyster business at Mississippi City, Mississippi. In 1887 he removed to Missouri and engaged in contracting and building at Marceline, that state. While engaged in this business he erected or supervised the construction of many of the leading buildings in the town. At the end of three years, in 1890, he entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, and has ever since continued in their service. In February, 1903, he was transferred to Galesburg in the capacity of passenger and freight agent, which position he still holds. The paternal grandparents of our subject were A. B. and Louise (Sultzbaugh) Machen, natives of Pennsylvania. In their early years they came to Illinois, locating in Will county, where they resided for many years and from there removed to Marceline, Missouri. There the grandfather passed away about 1885, having attained a ripe old age, but he is still survived by the grandmother, who continues to make her home in Marceline. Mrs. Henry S. Machen was the only child of her parents, her mother being Mrs. Ella L. (Evans) Brower. Three sons were born to Mr. and Mrs. Machen, of whom our subject is the eldest, the other two being Harvey L. and Cecil E.

The earliest memories of Clyde H. Machen are associated with Marceline and Lexington Junction, Missouri, as he was only a child of three years when his parents located in the former place. When old enough to begin his education he entered the public schools of Marceline, but subsequently attended Woodson Institute. As soon as he was qualified to become self-supporting he laid aside his text-books and entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, at Lexington Junction, where he remained until 1901. In the 'latter year he was stationed at Laplata, Missouri, going from there to various other points on the company's lines until 1903, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Galesburg. Very soon thereafter he was assigned duty elsewhere, and during the succeeding six years was employed in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and New Mexico. In 1909 he returned to Galesburg and established the business he is now conducting. During the first three months he was sole owner, but the enterprise developed so rapidly that his brother Cecil E. became associated with him at the expiration of that period under the firm name of Machen Brothers. Their store is located at No. 133 East Waters street, and as they are both enterprising young men, who conduct their business in a straightforward, legitimate manner, they are accorded an excellent patronage that is constantly increasing.

On the 2ist of December, 1908, Mr. Machen was united in marriage to Mrs. Nellie H. Wright, a daughter of Benson and Gertrude V. Hume, of Illinois, and they have become the parents of one son, Clyde Richard.

Mr. and Mrs. Machen hold membership in the Central Congregational church. His political support Mr. Machen gives to the republican party. During the brief period of his connection with the commercial activities of Galesburg, he has manifested the qualities that invariably characterize the successful business man, and the future of the enterprise with which he is connected seems assured.

. In the death of Michael Welsh on the 28th of July, 1907, Knox county lost a citizen who had long been honored as a representative and worthy resident of this part of the state. He had occupied his home in Williamsfield for many years, becoming a resident of Truro township in the spring of 1856. From that time until his death he had maintained a creditable position as a business man and as a public official, and throughout his entire life he had wisely used the advantages and opportunities that came to him. While he never had any great ambition to obtain wealth, yet he made for his family a comfortable living and he continually added to his store of mental riches through his wide and diversified reading.

Mr. Welsh was born September 8, 1830, in Kilkenny county, Ireland, his parents being William and Mary (Hoi den) Welsh. His educational opportunities were equivalent to those of a common-school course in this land, and on the I4th of October, 1850, when he was twenty years of age, he was married to Miss Catherine Grace, and with his bride started for America, arriving in New Orleans on the ist of January, 1851. This was the wedding journey of the young couple who, after a voyage of eight weeks upon a sailing vessel, reached the American port, and from the present city of New Orleans made his parents located in the former place. When old enough to begin his education he entered the public schools of Marceline, but subsequently attended Woodson Institute. As soon as he was qualified to become self-supporting he laid aside his text-books and entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company, at Lexington Junction, where he remained until igoi. In the -latter year he was stationed at Laplata, Missouri, going from there to various other points on the company's lines until 1903, when he accompanied his parents on their removal to Galesburg. \ ery soon thereafter he was assigned duty elsewhere, and during the succeeding six years was employed in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado and Xevv Mexico. In 1909 he returned to Galesburg and established the business he is now conducting. During the first three months he \vas sole owner, but the enterprise developed so rapidly that his brother Cecil E. became associated with him at the expiration of that period under the firm name of Machen Brothers. Their store is located at Xo. 133 East Waters street, and as they are both enterprising young men, who conduct their business in a straightforward, legitimate manner, they are accorded an excellent patronage that is constantly increasing.

On the 2ist of December. 1908, Mr. Machen was united in marriage to Mrs. Xellie H. \\'riglit, a daughter of Benson and Gertrude \ . Hume, of Illinois, and they liave become tlie parents of one son, Clyde Richard.

Mr. and Mrs. Machen hold membership in the Central Congregational church. His political support Mr. Macheu gives to the republican party. During the brief period of his connection with tlie commercial activities of Galesburg, he has manifested the qualities that invariably characterize the successful business man, and the future of the enterprise with which he is connected seems assured.

In the death of Michael Welsh on the 28th of July, 1907, Knox county lost a citizen who had long been honored as a representative and worthy resident of this part of the state. He ha<l occupied his home in Williamsfield for many years, becoming a resident of Truro township in the spring of 1856. From that time until his death he had maintained a creditable position as a business man and as a public official, and throughout his entire life he had wisely used the advantages and opportunities that came to him. While he never had any great ambition to obtain wealth, yet he made for his family a comfortable living and he continually added to his store of mental riches through his wide and diversified reading.

Mr. Welsh was born September 8, 1830, in Kilkenny county, Ireland, his parents being William and Mary ( Ilolden ) \\'elsh. His educational opportunities were equivalent to those of a common-school course in this land, and on the 1 4th of October, 1850, when he was twenty years of age, he was married to Miss Catherine (jrace, and with his bride started for America, arriving in New Orleans on the ist of January, 1851. This was the wedding journey of the young couple who, after a voyage of eight weeks upon a sailing vessel, reached the American port, and from the i)resent city of Xew Orleans made their way up the Mississippi river to St. Louis. After a brief period passed there they journeyed up the Illinois river to Peoria and thence by wagon traveled with Benoni Simpkins, one of Mr. Welsh's earliest friends, to Maquon, arriving there on the I9th of April, 1851. The following year Mr. Welsh aided in building a bridge across Spoon river, now known as the Long Bridge, receiving for his services the munificent sum of fifty cents per day ! He turned his attention to agricultural pursuits when, in 1856, he removed with his young family to Truro township, where he continuously made his home until the time of his death. While residing there he formed the acquaintance and gained the friendship of Henry J. Corbin, whose willingptiess to assist young men in their struggles to get a start in those pioneer times endeared his memory to many. Mr. Welsh was always extremely grateful to Mr. Corbin, and one of the last things he planned before his death was a visit to the grave of this friend of his early manhood to remove some brush that had grown upon and around the last resting place of Mr. Corbin.

While Mr. Welsh carefully managed his business affairs with the laudable ambition to provide a good living for his family it was well known that he never took advantage of the necessities of another in a business transaction, nor was he ever so busy that he neglected the duties and obligations of good citizenship. It is said that his home was known from Galesburg to Chillicothe in the early days as the abode of hospitality and good cheer and that no worthy person was ever denied shelter and entertainment there. From time to time he was called to public offices and filled a number of local p>ositions in a most creditable manner. He served as assessor for several terms, and for twenty years filled the position of justice of the peace at a time when country justices heard many cases. Much litigation occurred in the country between the years 1860 and 1880, and all through the fall and winter months, after crops had been harvested, Mr. Welsh was busy hearing the contested interests of litigating parties. He made a fine judicial officer, and at different times nearly every leading attorney of Knox county bar of that period practiced before him, including H. N. Keightley, Judge Leander Douglas, Judge Craig and C. K. Harvey. That his decisions were strictly fair and impartial is indicated in the fact that in the twenty years in which he presided over the justice court no litigant ever took an appeal from his decision. For a half century he had a personal acquaintance with all the members of the Knox county bar and he was a great admirer of Julius Manning and a lifelong friend and supporter of Judge Craig.

Mr. Welsh took a very deep interest in everything pertaining to the general progress and improvement of his home community, his county, state and nation. He was a stalwart democrat, giving unfaltering support to the principles of his party, yet he approved and commended the stand which President Roosevelt took concerning the anthracite coal strike, and he sympathized with President Lincoln in his determination to put down the war. He did not approve of the peace measures advocated at the time of the McClelland campaign. He had previously supported Stephen A. Douglas, and was present at the famous Lincoln-Douglas debate in Galesburg in 1858. All through his life he added to his knowledge through wide reading and was especially interested in works of a legal nature and in history. The rural daily mail brought many periodicals and papers to his home and he always kept in touch with current events. In the early days when it was difficult to obtain books he eagerly availed himself of every opportunity to secure reading matter and pored over the volumes of biography that contained the lives of Clay, Webster, Calhoun, Washington, Lincoln and the heroes of the Revolutionary war. Thus from the well supplied storehouse of his mind he could continually draw for anecdote, information, or fact to enrich his conversation or prove an argument. -;

Six months before his demise Mr. Welsh was called upon to mourn the loss of his wife. A half year passed and he was laid to rest by her side in St. Joseph's cemetery in Galesburg. Their family included the following sons and daughters: William M., F. F. and Jay of Williamsfield, Illinois; Mrs. Alice Cloonen, of Zearing, Iowa; J. D., of Galesburg; Dr. M. M., of Odell, Illinois; and Mrs. Mary Judge of Pontiac, Illinois. Mr. Welsh enjoyed good health and was a man of splendid physique. By the members of his family he was never regarded as old or decrepit for he continued young in thought and spirit. --' He planned to attend the 4th of July celebration at Galesburg, in 1907, but the excessive heat of the summer proved detrimental to him, and on the 8th of July, while sitting on the porch of his home, he was overcome by the heat. All through his life he had chosen those things which are most worth while. He entered largely into the realm of thought, and yet he remained an active factor in the world's work.

Lyman P. Wilson, now serving for the second term as city attorney of Galesburg, to which office he was reelected in 1911, is one of the younger representatives of the bar of the city, yet since entering upon active practice has made substantial and continuous progress. He was born in Qarke county, Iowa, January 21, 1883. His father, John Wilson, was a native of Hermon, Knox county, Illinois, born August ii, 1856, and in the public schools of this county he pursued his early education, which was supplemented by a course in Hedding College. He then took up rail construction work and contract'ng, and after continuing in that line of business for a time, devoted several years to fanning in Iowa, near the town of Leslie. He then returned to Knox county and filled the position of postmaster at Hermon for twelve years. In 1897 he removed to Galesburg and entered the employ of the city water department, while subsequently he became connected with the engineering department, where he is now to be found. He has always voted with the democracy and made for himself a creditable record during his three terms' service as postmaster of Hermon. On the 2ist of July, i88i, near London Mills, he was united in mar- . riage to Miss Amanda P. Phillippi, who was born in that locality, November 25, 1858. They are both members of the Methodist Episcopal church and well spent lives have won for them the kindly regard and confidence of all with - whom they have been brought in contact. .' . .' /.

Lyman P. Wilson, their only child, pursued his education in the public and high schools of Galesburg and in Knox College, from which he was graduated with the class of 1904. He then entered upon preparation for a professional career as a student in the law department of the University of Chicago, form which he was graduated in the spring of 1907. In the fall of the same year he opened an office in Galesburg, where he continues in general practice, and in the trial of cases he has proved his ability to successfully cope with the many intricate problems of the law. In the spring of 1909 he was elected city attorney and commendation of his first term's service was given him in his reelection, in the spring of 1911. He was chosen as the candidate of the republican party and has always been one of the stanch supporters of that political organization.

..{ On the 2ist of January, 1909, Mr. Wjlson was married to Miss Edith Marks, a daughter of J. Warren and Mary Lillian (Houder) Marks, of Pontiac, Illinois. Her father, who was born August 2, 1857, followed farming for a long period at Pontiac and is now living at Lake Park, Iowa. It was on the loth of January, 1883, that he wedded Mary L. Houder, who was bom December 14, 1862. They became the parents of three children: Welford H., bom July 24, 1884; Mrs. Edith Wilson, born December 31, 1886; and Florence L., bom September i8, 1889.

During his college days Mr. Wilson was prominent in fraternal circles, becoming a member of the Phi Alpha Delta of the University of Chicago and the Delta Sigma Rho fraternity of Knox College. Both he and his wife are earnest and active members of the Methodist Episcopal church, in the work of which he has taken a helpful part, serving for a time as a teacher in the Sunday school. He also belongs to the Woodmen's lodge. Because nature endowed him with strong intellectual qualities and, furthermore, because he is ambitious and determined, one feels no hesitancy in predicting for him a successful future, for he has already well established himself in the practice of his chosen profession. ;;'--;;: - ''^~ ';"'-.'-'':-

John Hall, one of the venerable residents of this county, who is passing a peaceful old age in his home in Douglas, retired from active participation in farming interests several years ago, and although nearly eighty-two years of age he is as cheerful in spirit and keen in mind as many a man twenty years his junior. He was born in County Mayo, Ireland, June 13, 1830, his parents being James and Mary (Nash) Hall, natives of Ireland. There were nine children in the family, seven of whom came to America, John Hall being the only one who survived. On his arrival in the United States he settled in New York state and found employment' in a machine shop, continuing in this connection for a number of years, until he came to Peoria county, Illinois. He remained there three years and then removed to Gallia county, Ohio, where he resided for twelve years. There he married Mary Jane Stewart, a native of Ohio, and subsequently removed to Salem township, Knox county, Illinois, buying a farm of eighty acres, situated on section 7 of Salem township, in 1867. Mr. Hall set about cultivating this land, which was partly improved, and constructed buildings and fences thereon. He was enterprising in his taeth- ods and met with excellent results in his work. In 1907 he discontinued his labors on the farm and retired to Douglas, Illinois, to pass the remainder of his life in the enjoyment of a well earned rest.

The following children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Hall: Fred, deceased; John William ; Robert S., who resides in Douglas and is married to Blanch Buffington, a daughter of Frank Buflfington, of Farmington, Illinois, and has three children, Priscilla Bella, Floyd Vincent and Mary Flizabeth; Francis, who married Anna Kennedy, a daughter of James Kennedy, of McComb, Illinois, and has one child, Glenn, and two daughters deceased, one dying at the age of two years and the other at the age of six. Mrs. Hall passed away on the old home farm at the age of fifty-six years and is interred in the Uniontown cemetery.

Mr. Hall votes with the republican party but is not actively interested in politics although he is well informed on affairs of national and local interest. He is a member of the Methodist Episcopal church, to which his wife also belonged.

Henry Sultzbaugh Machen, who has been freight and passenger agent for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad at Galesburg since February i, 1903, was born in McLean county, Illinois, on the 25th of February, i86i. He is a son of Amos and Louise (Sultzbaugh) Machen, both natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania. Amos Machen remained a resident of his native state until 1860, when he came to Illinois, locating on a farm in McLean county. He assiduously applied himself to the further cultivation and improvement of his land for some years thereafter, meeting with a reasonable degree of success. Later, however, he withdrew from agricultural pursuits and engaged in contracting and building. After identifying himself with this business he removed to Missouri, subsequently becoming a resident of Marceline, that state. He located there about the time the town was founded and engaged in the same business. As he was a good mechanic and capable business man, his undertaking thrived and he erected many of the leading public buildings and private residences in the town. He was numbered among the enterprising and successful citizens at the time of his death, which occurred in 1899, at the age of sixty-two years. The mother is still living and continues to make her home in Marceline and there recently celebrated the sixty-eighth anniversary of her birth. Mr. Machen was a veteran of the Civil war, having been in the service for three years and three months. He was clerk of his company and was mustered out with the rank of corporal. He was not a member of any denomination but was friendly to all, while his wife holds membership in the Methodist Episcopal church. They were the parents of eleven children, our subject being the eldest of the six who attained maturity. In order of birth the others are as follows : Levi B., who is deceased ; Emma, the wife of William Houle, of Chicago; George F., who is deceased; May, deceased; and Guy, who lives 'in San Marcial, New Mexico. The paternal grandparents were Henry and Caroline (Brennemann) Machen, natives of Pennsylvania, but of German extraction. To them were born four children, Amos, the father of our subject; Ann; Peter; and Henry. Agricultural pursuits always engaged the attention of Henry Machen, who passed away in Lancaster county, Pennsylvania, at the age of sixty-seven years. He was long survived by his widow, wlio was eighty-two at the time of her death. The maternal grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Sultzbaugh, were also natives of Pennsylvania, but they came in an early day to Peotone, Will county, Illinois, making their home with their son. Later they returned to the Keystone state and there they both passed away at a rif>e old age. Their family was as follows : Philip ; Henry ; Louise, the mother of our subject; Mary Ann; Peter; and Rebecca.

The first year of his life Henry S. Machen passed in his native state, but at the expiration of that time he was taken to Pennsylvania, where he resided until he was seven. In 1868 he was brought back to Illinois, spending the succeeding two years in Will county. He then accompanied his parents on their removal to Linn county, Missouri, remaining there until he was a youth of thirteen, when he went to Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin. At the usual age he began his education, which was pursued in the public schools at his various points of residence, until he was graduated from the high school at Sturgeon Bay. For two years thereafter he engaged in teaching, but having decided that he preferred commercial activities at the end of that time he withdrew from this profession and began his business career. He was identified with the lumber interests of Wisconsin for some years thereafter, and then went to Texas. During the first eighteen months of his residence in the latter state he was overseer of a large cotton plantation, but later he was made manager of some shingle mills in Beaumont, Texas, continuing in this capacity for two years. From there he went to Mississippi City, Mississippi, where he engaged in contracting and building for a year, then established a wholesale and retail oyster business that he conducted for three years. At the end of that period he withdrew from commercial activities and entered the employ of the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad Company. He began his services with this company in 1888 in the capacity of night ticket clerk at Marceline, Missouri, remaining there for five years. In 1903 he was transferred to Galesburg as freight and passenger agent and has ever since been identified with this position. A man of pleasing personality and gracious and accommodating manner, Mr. Machen has discharged his services in a manner highly acceptable to the company and the public. -and is held in high esteem by all who have occasion to have dealings with him.

At Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, on the I3th of April, i88i, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Machen and Miss Mary J. Brower, and they have become the parents of three children. Clyde H., who is mentioned at greater length elsewhere in this work, is engaged in the fuel, feed and fiour business with his brother, Cecil E., who is the youngest member of the family. Harvey, the second in order of birth, who is now residing in Oklahoma, and married., having two children. ;'.;-:;;: v-\ '>.; 'r "l^^ - - v^ --

Mr. Machen is a trustee of the Central Congregational church, in which both he and his wife hold membership, and fraternally he is affiliated with the

Masonic order, being identified with Vesper Lodge, A. F. & A. M. In politics he is a republican, giving his indorsement to the progressive faction of that party, and for one year he served as city clerk of Galesburg. Mr. Macheit is a highly estimable citizen, progressive and enterprising in his ideas, who takes an active interest in all matters pertaining to the public welfare.

Erastus Fuller, now living retired at No. 630 Maple avenue, is one of the well known citizens of Galesburg, having resided here for forty-nine years, during the greater portion of which period he actively engaged in carpenter work, while for a time he also operated a planing mill. His birth occurred at Gardiner, Maine, a town located on the banks of the picturesque Kennebec river, on the 3d of May, 1830. The Fuller family originally came from England, the founder of the American branch having located in New England in 1634. The paternal grandparents of our subject were William and Lucy (Hodgkins) Fuller. The former was born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, March lo, 1761, and died in West Gardiner, Maine, in September, 1842. The grandmother was born June lo, 1764, and died May 3, 1846. In their family were eleven children: Hannah, born September 17, 1787; Lucy, born December 14, 1788; Catherine, February 3, 1791; William, February i, 1793; David, January 19, 1795; James, January 12, 1797; Abigail, December 12, 1798; Daniel, February i, i8oi ; Joseph, February 17, 1803; George, July 13, 1807; and Mary Ann, August 20, i8io. All were born in Ipswich, Massachusetts, with the exception of the last named, whose birth occurred in Gardiner, Maine. The father of these children was a cabinet-maker and carpenter by trade and was a veteran of the Revolutionary war, having enlisted in the service three times during the war for independence. The maternal grandparents of our subject were Elisha and Sarah (True) Drew, to whom were born five daughters: Mary, Charlotte, Sarah Ann, Adaline and Hannah. They were likewise residents of Massachusetts, where the grandfather followed the carpenter's trade during his active years.

The parents of our subject, David and Mary (Drew) Fuller, were both natives of the state of Massachusetts, and there they were likewise reared and married and passed the early years of their domestic life. Subsequently they removed to Gardiner, Maine, formerly a part of Massachusetts, where the father followed his trade during the remainder of his active life. He was a cafpenter and cabinet-maker of rare skill and workmanship, having learned to do exquisite work with the broadax. He was one of the well-to-do citizens of his town, owning his own home, and there both he and his wife passed away at the venerable age of seventy-four years, his death occurring in 1869 and hers in 1877. In matters of faith they were strictly orthodox and his political support he gave to the whig party. When the second war with Great Britain opened, David Fuller was old enough to enlist and went to the front as the musician of his regiment but did not long remain in the service. He was a public-spirited man and always took much interest in all local political issues and for some years discharged the duties of justice of the peace. Eight children were born to Mr.

and Mrs. Fuller, our subject being the fifth in order of birth. The others are as follows: Elizabeth E., Elisha D., DaviH H., Mary C., Sarah H., Rebecca A. and Ursula Anna, who died December 4, 1829.

Reared on his father's farm in Maine, Erastus Fuller obtained his education in the subscription schools of the vicinity. At the age of fourteen years he laid aside his school books and turned his attention to the carpenter's trade, which he learned under the capable direction of his father. This had been the occupation of the men in both the paternal and maternal lines of his family for several generations and to this fact in all probability can be attributed much of the mechanical skill Mr. Fuller has always manifested. By the time he had attained his majority he was a capable and most creditable representative of his craft, which he successfully followed during the entire period of his active life. He followed his trade in his native state until he was twenty-seven years of age, but, . believing that the newer towns of the west offered greater possibilities, in 1857 - with his wife and family he came to Illinois. Upon his arrival in the state he first located at Oquawka, Henderson county, where he resided until 1863. In May of the latter year he removed to Galesburg, where he has even since lived,/, having resided in his present home for forty-four years. During the long period of his residence here Mr. Fuller has erected and superintended the construction of many of the best dwellings in the town and has also done the carpenter work in some of the leading public buildings. He was always regarded as one of the best carpenters in the town and one of the most reliable. A man of high honor and integrity, he made it one of the guiding principles of his life to keep his word and to discharge each task to the best of his ability. Consequently he had little difficulty in commanding a high price for his work, as it was always found to be worth the amount charged. When he first located here he only did carpenter work but after his sons became old enough to go to work he leased the old Coulton planing mill, which he operated for fifteen years very successfully. A ' goodly degree of prosperity has attended the efforts of Mr. Fuller, who in addition to his comfortable residence and other property interests has a competence that provides him and his wife with all of the necessities and many of the com- ; forts of life. -

Mr. Fuller has been married twice. His first union was with Miss Elizabeth Merry, a daughter of Samuel and Frances (Barter) Merry, their marriage being celebrated in Maine, on December 9, 1851. Four children were bom to them, as - follows : "Lizzie Flora, who died at the age of seven years ; Elmer, who was a babe of eighteen months when he died; Hervey, whose death occurred at the age of one year; and Blanche, who died in infancy. The mother passed away on the 5th of April, 1867. On the 23d of April, 1868, Mr. Fuller married Miss Amelia D. Stancliff, who is a daughter of William and Esther (Belden) Stancliff. Mrs. Fuller was born in Knox county, on September 26, 1843, and here she has passed her entire life. Her father was a native of Pennsylvania and her mother of New York, but they were married in the former state, coming from Erie, Pennsylvania, to Knox county in 1843. They located at Center Point in June of that year and there they continued to reside until 1848, when they came to Galesburg. Here William Stancliff passed away on the I5th of August, 1851, at the age of forty-three years. The mother, however, survived until February, 1894, her death occurring at the venerable age of eighty- four.

Seven children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Slancliff, as follows : William Henry Harrison, Mary Anna, Amelia Desire, Emma Arabel, James Russell, David Russell and Daniel Belden. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Fuller were Russell and Desire (Goodard) Stancliff, natives of Pennsylvania. They had two sons, William and James. Her maternal grandparents were David and Anna (Ensign) Belden, natives of New York, whence they removed to Pennsylvania, coming from there to Knox county in 1839. Here they both passed away and were laid to rest in Hope cemetery. They had seven children : Parmelia, Esther, Nathaniel, William, Sallie Ann, Daniel Dixon and Susanna Meriel. The family of Mr. Fuller and his second wife numbers six, three daughters and three sons. David, who is a traveling salesman, married Cora Elizabeth Barrer and they reside at Galesburg. Emma, the deceased wife of Dr. Ralph T. Edwards, passed away in Siam near Bangkok, in January, 1910, leaving three children, Ralph Stanclifif, Emma Hammell and Mary Elizabeth. William StanclifF, a postal clerk on the fast mail running from Chicago to Omaha, married Mary Ellen Brooks and resides at La Grange, Illinois. They have one child living, Erastus Brooks. Walter Erastus, the youngest son, died just before graduating from high school in March of 1895. Bessie Mabel is a nurse in Mayo Brothers Hospital at Rochester, Minnesota. Mary Edith, who is the youngest member of the family, is at home with her parents.

In matters of faith Mr. and Mrs. Fuller are Congregationalists, holding membership in Central church of this city, and his political support he gives to the republicans. He was formerly a whig but when that party was merged into the republican he transferred his allegiance and has ever since cast his ballot for their candidates. Mr. Fuller has witnessed the marvelous development of Galesburg that has accompanied the introduction of modern commercial and industrial methods in keeping with the rapid progress of the times, the inventions that are now common household and business necessities being undreamed of luxuries when he first came here. . .' ' ' -''v !-' -

Edson Reif snider, who is dean of Ryder Divinity School, Lombard College, was born in Aurora, Illinois, on the 28th of April, 1868, a son of Vincent and Frances Salina (Gurley) Reifsnider. He acquired his early education in the public schools of Chicago and subsequently entered the divinity department of Tuft's College, Boston, Massachusetts, from which institution he was graduated in 1898 with the degree of B. D. Before entering college Dr. Reifsnider spent ten years in mercantile pursuits in Chicago. During his senior year at Tuft's College he acted as pastor of the New Bedford, Massachusetts, Universalist church. Immediately after his graduation he accepted a pastorate in Danvers, Massachusetts. He remained there until 1892 and the following year removed to Galesburg, where he held a pastorate for six years. In 1903 he also accepted a position as instructor in Ryder Divinity School, Lombard College, and was thus engaged until 1909 when he was chosen dean of the school. He has since occupied that office. In 1911 Buchtel College, Akron, Ohio, conferred upon him the degree of D. D.

Rev. Edsox Reifsnider

Seven children were horn to Mr. and Mrs. Stancliff. as follows: William Henry Harrist)n. .Mary Anna, .Amelia Desire, Emma .Vrahel, James Russell, David Kussell and Daniel I'.elden. The paternal grandparents of Mrs. Fuller were Russell and Desire ((ioodard) Stancliff, natives of Pennsylvania. They had two sons, \\illiam and James. Her maternal grandparents were David and Anna ( I^nsign i Hclden, natives of Xew York, whence they removed to Pennsylvania, coming from there to Knox county in 1839. Here they both passed away and were laid to rest in I lope cemetery. They had seven children : Parmelia, Esther, Xathaniel, \\'illiam, Sallie Ann, Daniel Dixon and Susanna Meriel. The family of Mr. I-'uller and his second wife numbers six, three daughters and three sons. David, who is a traveling salesman, married Cora FJix.abeth Uarrer and they reside at ( ialesburg. lunma, the deceased wife of Dr. Ralph T. Edwards, passed away in Siam near llangkok, in January, 1910, leaving three children, Ral]ih Stancliff, Emma Hammell and Mary l-Llizaijeth. \\'illiam Stancliff, a ])ostal clerk on the fast mail running from Chicago to Omalia, married Mary Ellen Brooks and resides at La (Irange, Illinois. They have one child living, Erastus Brooks. \\'alter ICrastus, the youngest son. died just before graduating from high school in .March f)f 1X95. l'«essie Mabel is a nurse in Mayo Brothers Hosi)ital at Rochester, Minnesota. Mary Ivlith, who is the youngest member of the family, is at home with her parents.

In matters of faith Mr. and Mrs. I'uller arc Congregationalists, holding mem- I)ership in Central church of this city, and his political support he gives to the rei)ul)Iicans. He was formerly a whig but when that ])arty was merged into the republican he transferred his allegiance and iias ever since cast his ballot for their candidates. .Mr. Iniller has witnessed the marvelous development of (ialesburg that has accompanied the introduction of modern commercial and industrial methods in keeping with the rai)id progress of the times, the inventions that are now common household and business necessities being undreamed of lu.xuries when he lirst came here.

l-'dson Reif snider, who is dean of Ryder Divinity School, Lombard College, was born in Aurora, Illinois, on the aSth of Ajiril, iShS, a son of X'incent and l-'rances Salina ( ( iurley ) Reifsnider. He ac(|uired his early education in the ])ublic schools of Chicago and subse(|uently entered the divinity de])artment of Tuft's College, Boston, Massachusetts, from which institntitm he was gratluated in ifN(>S with the degree of B. D. Before entering college Dr. Reifsnider spent ten years in mercantile pursuits in Chicago. During his senior year at Tuft's C'ollege he acted as i)astor of the Xew I'edford, Massachu.setts, L'niversalist church. Immediately after his graduation he accepted a i)astorate in Danvers, Massachusetts. He remained there until 1892 and the following year removed to (Ialesburg, where he held a ])astorate for six years. In 1903 he also accepted a position as instructor in Ryder Divinity School, Lombard College, and was thus engaged until 1909 when he was chosen dean of the school. He has since occujjied that office. In TOII lUichtel College, Akron, (Ohio, conferred u\K>n him the degree of D. D.

On the ist of October, 1906, Dr. Reifsnider was married in Galesburg to Miss Anna Louise Cutter. He gives his attention exclusively to the best interests of the Ryder Divinity School and is one of the valued members of the faculty of Lombard College.

John Purdy was known in business, circles of Galesburg as a pattern-maker and through his well conducted activities reached a point of success that enabled him to spend his later years in honorable retirement from labor. In early life he learned the pattern-maker's trade, which he followed for a number of years, entering the employ of George Brown. In this connection he displayed marked skill and ability, so that he was able to fill a responsible position and command good wages for his services. His industry and careful expenditure at length brought him a substantial competence and with this he retired to private life about 1886. >'- - '^v''";:'^ - :'

Mr. Purdy was twice married, his second union being with Mrs. Anna Foote, whom he wedded on the ist of June, 1887. She is a daughter of James and Sarah (Halley) McFarland, of Warren county, Illinois, their home being on the Monmouth road about six miles from Galesburg. Their daughter Anna was twice married, her first husband being Henry Foote, who was born in Illinois, February 5, 1834, and was a son of Francis and Hannah B. (Miles) Foote, both of whom were natives of the east and died in that part of the country when their son Henry was a small child. He afterward came to Illinois with an uncle, Bradley Miles, who settled at Lewistown, this state. Mr. .Foote completed his education as a student in Knox College and for a few years engaged in farming but, believing that he was called to the ministry, he engaged in preaching in the Methodist Episcopal church. He was called to his last charge in Oneida, Knox county, in the fall of 1873 and there engaged in preaching until the following year, when he went to Tennessee, where he died on the 5th of January, 1874. His life was ever a consistent and honorable one and was a factor for good in the world's work. His widow afterward returned to her mother's home, where she lived for a year, and then came to Galesburg, placing her children in the high school here. .:

It was on the 26th of October, 1859, in Warren county, about six miles southwest of Galesburg, that Mr. Foote was united in marriage to Miss Anna McFarland, and the children of this marriage are : Harry Willis, who was born August 12, 1864, in Warren county, Illinois, and is now engaged in the live-stock commission business in St. Joseph, Missouri ; and Winifred Louise, who was born July 31, 1870, in Warren county, Illinois, and is the wife of George Rakstraw, a banker of Wyoming, Illinois, by whom she has four children, Harry Eugene, Roy Delbert, Florence Margaret and Helen Louise. The mother of these children, Mrs. Rakstraw, was educated in Brown's Business College.

Some years subsequent to the death of her first husband Mrs. Foote, who was born in Warren county, Illinois, October 12, 1842, became the wife of John Purdy. In his political views he was a republican but never sought nor desired office in recognition of his party fealty. His religious faith was that of the Baptist church, while Mrs. Purdy belongs to the Methodist Episcopal church. She is widely known in this part of the state, where her entire life has been passed, and those who know her, esteem her highly because her life has been a force for good and because her Christian principles have found manifestation in her kindly spirit and charity toward others.

George A. Gibson is one of the representative agriculturists of Persifer town-- ship, where he engages in the cultivation of three hundred and twenty acres of land, two hundred and forty of which on section 17, Persifer township, he owns. He was born in Vermilion county, Illinois, on May 22, 1875, and is a son of John H. and Mary (Leadbetter) Gibson. In i88i, the father, who is now deceased, removed with his family to Knox county, locating in Persifer township, where he engaged in farming.