Knox County, Illinois - The whole text, 1912 (part 55 of 56)

Much of his time and effort were given to the public welfare and he was a powerful factor in the democratic party in the township, which often sought and heeded his counsel. He served for twelve years as the town clerk and for four as assessor, with credit to himself and to the satisfaction of his constituents. To such a man as Mr. Sheahan the community owes a debt of gratitude for the activities which he both supported and actively assisted during his lifetime. Much of the progress of the community in which he lived was due to the impetus which it received from him. His friends and neighbors - and they are many - found him to be a loyal citizen, a progressive agriculturist and a man of the strictest integrity. -- ' . ' -;.-- ':-^''A -/ ^'''': -'^./..^-'^;\V\v;' -'-';:';-.-:-,;-->- '-^

Walter Watson Whipple, city editor of the Galesburg Evening Mail, entered upon his present connection with journalistic interests in Knox county in 1910, but also received his initial newspaper experience in this city and the impetus gained in early life has carried him forward to his present position. With the exception of a brief period spent in the west he has always been a resident of Illinois, his birth having occurred in Birmingham township, Schuyler county, April ii, 1880. His parents are Heman Oscar and Anne Estelle (Lawton) Whipple. The ancestry of the Whipple family can be traced back in direct line through eight generations to Captain John Whipple, who was born in Milford, Wales, in 1617. He came to America when a young man and was married in Massachusetts. The Whipple family then remained in New England until Edward Whipple, grandfather of W. W. Whipple, removed to Illinois, coming to this state from Vermont. Captain John Whipple was a contemporary of Roger Williams and on his arrival in the new world first settled in Rhode Island. In the Lawton line the ancestry can be traced back to 1630, in which year occurred the birth of John Lawton, probably in Connecticut. Heman O. Whipple, the father, was born in Illinois and is now a well-to-do farmer and stock raiser. His wife was born in Massachusetts.

In the district schools near Plymouth, Illinois, Walter W. Whipple pursued his studies to the age of ten years and afterward attended the graded and high schools in Plymouth, followed by a five years' course in Knox College, of Galesburg, from which he was graduated A. B. with the class of 1903. He resided on the home farm until he had completed his college course and then took up newspaper reporting for the Daily Republican Register, at Galesburg. That he seemed to have entered a field for which he had natural aptitude and ability was evidenced in the fact that he was made city editor in 1905. In 1907-8-9 he did newspaper reporting and handled the state news for the Denver Republican, at Denver, Colorado, but in 1910 returned to Galesburg and has since been city editor of the Galesburg Evening Mail, his efforts contributing largely to. the success of the paper which is regarded as one of the leading journals of the Military Tract.

On the 9th of June, 1907, at Bloomington, Nebraska, Mr. Whipple was united in marriage to Miss Maud Olivia Scogland, a daughter of Charles J. and Emily Scogland, of Galesburg, but the former died in 1900. Mrs. Whipple was educated in the schools of this city, being graduated from the high school with the class of 1897. - ; >

Mr. Whipple gives his political support to the republican party and the columns of the paper which he edits advocates its principles, so that his influence in this connection is of no restricted order. He has an interesting military chapter in his life history as a member of Battery B, First Artillery, Illinois National Guard, with which he served from 1900 until 1903. He belongs to the Congregational church and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Country Qub. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public relation and is perhaps not widely known in the state outside of the newspaper guild but in his home city sterling and attractive traits of character have firmly established him in the regard of his fellow townsmen. ;- - <

' Called to the office of assistant cashier in the Farmers & Mechanics Bank of Galesburg in 1906, Axel Gabrielson has made for himself a creditable position in the business circles of his native city. He was born March 4, 1860, a son of Andrew G. and Maria C. Gabrielson. The father was born July 15, 1822, and died August 26, 1904, while the mother, whose birth occurred January 20, iSiS, passed away December 27, 1899. They emigrated from Ostergotland, Sweden, to America in 1857, reaching Galesburg in July. The father was a carpenter by trade and was employed by the G. W. Brown Company and the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company to the time of his retirement from business. In his family were five children: Mrs. Minnie Anderson, who lived in Binghamton, New York, but 'is now deceased; John A., a resident of Stromsburg, Nebraska; Mrs. Annie Swanson, of Brooklyn, New York; Charles D., a resident of Salem, Oregon; and Axel, of this review.

The last named was a pupil in the public schools of Galesburg, also in Knox Academy and in the high school at Binghamton, New York. His specifically literary education being completed he then began preparation for the ministry as a student in the Swedish Methodist Theological Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota. However, much of his life has been devoted to business pursuits. He was employed for four years by the E. F. Thomas Dry Goods Company and for four years in the millinery store of F. N. Gay. He spent eleven years successively in the Second National Bank, Farmers and Mechanics Bank and The Bank of Galesburg and in 1889 organized the Bank of Galesburg, of which he was the first cashier, occupying that position for three years or until he resigned to enter the ministry of the church. While engaged in preaching the gospel he acted as pastor of Methodist churches in Wataga, Bishop Hill and Peoria, and for six years was Sunday school missionary in Henry county, Illinois. For the past six years he has been assistant cashier of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank, thus resuniing active relations with financial interests in Galesburg, his previous experience along this line well qualifyng him for his present responsibilities.

On the 25th of May, 1886, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Mr. Gabrielson was married to Miss Christina Myron, a daughter of Ole O. and Karina Myron. Her father was bom August 21, 1825, and died June 22, 1893. The mother, bom in 1827, passed away in 1867. Mr. Myron was a shoemaker by trade and connection is of no restricted order. He has an interesting military chapter in his life history as a member of Battery B, First Artillery, Illinois National Guard, with which he served from 1900 until 1903. He belongs to the Congregational church and his social nature finds expression in his membership in the Country Qub. He has never sought to figure prominently in any public relation and is perhai^s not widely known in the state outside of the newspaper guild but in his home city sterling and attractive traits of character have firmly established him in the regard of his fellow townsmen.

Called to the office of assistant cashier in the Fanners & Mechanics Bank of Galesburg in 1906, Axel Gabrielson has made for himself a credital)le i)osition in the business circles of his native city. He was born March 4. i8<^o. a son of Andrew G. and Maria C. Gabrielson. The father was born July 15, 1822, and died August 26, 1904, while the mother, whose birth occurred January 20. i8i8, passed away December 27, 1899. They emigrated from Ostergotland, Sweden, to America in 1857, reaching Galesburg in July. The father was a carpenter by trade and was emjiloyed by the G. \V. Brown Company and the Chicago, Iktrlington & Quincy Railroad Company to the time of his retirement from business. In his family were five children: Mrs. Minnie Anderson, who lived in Binghamton, Xew York, but is now deceased: John A., a resident of Stromsburg. Nebraska: Mrs. Annie Swanson, of Brooklyn. New York: Charles D., a resident of Salem. Oregon : and Axel, of this review.

The last named was a pupil in the public schools of Galesburg, also in Knox Academy and in the high school at Binghamton, New York. His sjiecifically literary education being com])leted he then began ])reparation for the ministry as a student in the Swedish Methodist Theological Seminary at St. Paul, Minnesota. However, much of his life has been devoted to business pursuits. He was employed for four years by the E. F. Thomas Dry Goods Company and for four years in the millinery store of F. N. Gay. He sjient eleven years successively in the Second National Bank, Farmers and Mechanics P>ank and The Bank of Galesburg and in 1889 organized the Bank of Galesburg. of which he was the first cashier, occupying that position for three years or until he resigned to enter the ministry of the church. \\'hile engaged in preaching the gospel he acted as pastor of Methodist churches in Wataga, P.ishoj) Hill and Peoria, and for six years was Sunday school missionary in Henry count}'. Illinois. For the past six years he has been assistant cashier of the Farmers 61: Mechanics Bank, thus resuming active relations with financial interests in Galesburg, his previous experience along this line well qualifyng him for his present responsibilities.

On the 25th of 'May, 1886, in Stoughton, Wisconsin, Mr. Gabrielson was married to Miss Christina Myron, a daughter of Ole O. and Karina Myron. Her father was born August 21, 1825, and died June 22, 1893. The mother, born in 1827, passed away in 1867. Mr. Myron was a shoemaker by trade and followed that pursuit in Wisconsin, following his emigration from Christiania, Norway, to America in 1862. He first settled in Madison but afterward removed to Stoughton where he lived until his death. In the family were seven children, three of whom are yet living. Mrs. Gabrielson was born in Madison, Wisconsin, April 13, 1865. By her marriage she has become the mother of six children: Frederick, Mabel, Ervin, Katherine, Bertha, and Julian, but the first named has passed away. The parents are members of the Swedish Meth- . odist Episcopal church and are deeply and actively interested in its work. Mr. Gabrielson votes with the republican party and recognizes the obligations as well as the privileges of citizenship. He for two terms represented the third ward in the Common Council in the city of Galesburg. He has ever held to high ideals and has sought to make his life a serviceable factor in the world's work. Wherever known he is spoken of in terms of high regard and the circle of his friends is constantly increasing as the circle of his acquaintance grows.

Harold May Holland

The career of one who has been accorded the superior advantages of the higher educational institutions is favored with splendid and special opportunities. At the outset it aflfords him an independence which in itself is of an inspirational nature and gives him confidence to reach higher and attempt greater things than his fellow citizens who have been denied those advantages. Withal, however, the university with its learning is one thing and the business world with its practical experience and competition is quite another. The world calls for real value.

Harold M. Holland, after graduating from Dartmouth College made his start in the business world in 1903. At that time he engaged in the retail and wholesale athletic goods business with John F. McLean, under the firm name of McLean & Holland. After remaining in partnership with Mr. McLean for some time he purchased the entire business and has since continued to conduct the store independently, although the firm name, McLean & Holland, is still used. ; . ^-'v'^' - ' .! .. ^V ; -'. -'.-. I ;/

Mr. Holland was born in Galesburg, Illinois, on the I5th of April, 1878, a son of Joseph Basset and Mary Otis (May) Holland. The father's birth occurred near Brattleboro, Vermont, July ii, 1830. After being graduated from Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, in 1858, he entered the medical department of Dartmouth. While an undergraduate he was admitted to the Psi Upsilon fraternity, and because of the excellent record he made in his studies he was admitted to the Phi Beta Kappa. Later he was a special student at Amhurst College, Harvard University and Columbia University. For several years he was demonstrator in microscopical and pathological anatomy at Dartmouth and subsequently was associated with D. Appleton & Company and

William Wood & Company in wholesale publishing. He holds membership in the American Association for the Advancement of Science and was the first American to be elected as a member of the British Economic Society. At one time he was vice president of the New England Agricultural Society, and for years has been president of the Galesburg Public Library Association. His name also appears on the directorate of the First National Bank of Galesburg. On the i8th of November, 1872, he was married at Galesburg to Miss Mary Otis May, a daughter of Henry Harvey and Delia (Ray) May. Mr. H. H. May was one of the early settlers in Knox county, having arrived here in 1837. He was the inventor of the first successful horse-power reaper and made the first steel plow. Mrs. Joseph B. Holland is now residing in California with her son, Hubert Ray.

Harold M. Holland first attended school at Galesburg where he pursued his early education in the public schools. In 1893 he entered Knox College Academy and for several years was a student in Knox College. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1900 with the degree of A. B. W-hile a student there he was chosen a member of Phi Delta Theta.

On the 3d of April, 1909, Mr. Holland was married to Miss Beula Mary Hunt, of Galesburg. He is a member of the Soangetaha Qub, of which he has been a director for three years. He also holds membership in the Cooper Ornithological Club of California and is an associate member of the American Ornithologists' Union. In 1908, 1909 and again in 1912 he was elected president of the Galesburg Base Ball Company. In religious faith he is affiliated with the Central Congregational church of Galesburg. In politics he is a republican. Mr. Holland bears the reputation of being very progressive in his business ideas and has been most successful in promoting and introducing new lines and methods which tend to further the welfare of his business.

Wilkins Seacord

' - Wilkins Seacord, deceased, was for many years an active and honored resident of Galesburg and Knox county, many business interests feeling the stimulus of his activity, his commercial and industrial connections being at all times of such a character as contributed to general progress and prosperity as well as to individual success. Moreover, the methods pursued would ever bear close investigation and scrutiny so that he was honored and respected wherever known, and most of all where he was best known. His life history constitutes a creditable chapter in the annals of Knox county. His birth occurred in Orange county, New York, September 20, 1833, and his ancestry can be traced back to the Huguenots of France. His grandfather was subordinate officer under Marquis de la Fayette and came to America with that gallant French hero who aided in the establishment of American independence. Pleased with the new world and its prospects he decided to remain and established his home in the Empire state.

His son, Wilkins Seacord, father of him whose name introduces this review, married Hulda J. Morris, also a native of New York. He was a prominent citizen of that state and for many years represented his district in the general assembly, leaving the impress of his individuality upon the laws which were enacted during his connection with the state legislature. He continued a resident of New York until called to his final rest in 1862, when sixty-two years of age. His widow survived him for about fifteen years and passed away at the age of seventy-two years. In their family were five children of whom Wilkins Seacord, of this review, was the fourth in order of birth. He had the advantage of training in a home of culture and refinement, enjoyed good educational privileges and in early manhood came to the middle west. In his youth he learned something of the blacksmith's trade and also worked at farming for a time. He was twenty-two years of age when he left home and for a brief period he drifted about in Ohio, Michigan and Indiana but found what he regarded as a suitable place of residence when in October, 1855, he arrived in Galesburg. He then devoted his attention to teaching school for a brief period and also broke prairie, but in the spring of 1857 took up commercial pursuits, engaging in business in Oneida. In the spring of 1862 he turned his attention to the meat and live-stock business which he carried on with considerable success for about six years but abandoned that line in 1868 and removed from Oneida to Knoxville, which was then the county seat. There he filled the office of sheriff for a two years' term but in 1870 returned to Galesburg and took charge of the stock yards at this place. In 1876 his duties were further extended to include the superintendency of the stock yards at Quincy, the two places being under his care for many years. He also had supervision over the yards at Ottumwa and at Burlington, Iowa, and over the large sheep yard at Montgomery. He became recognized as one of the best judges of live stock in the Mississippi valley and in connection with his activity as superintendent of stock yards he also conducted an extensive rendering establishment. In fact he was associated with many prominent business enterprises of this city and state, was the owner of three large farms, had extensive banking interests and was also connected with other business concerns. He became one of the early stockholders of the Farmers & Mechanics Bank and served on its directorate. He was also a director of the First National Bank for many years and became one of the original stockholders of the Purington Paving Brick Company, of which he served as a director for several years. He was active in promoting the Galesburg Electric Motor & Power Company, took considerable stock in the enterprise and served as its president for a number of years, and also as a member of its board of directors. This company purchased the old horse-car lines, installed electric power and after successfully conducting the system for several years sold to the McKinley interests.

^ It was on the ist of October, 1857, in this county, that Mr. Seacord was united in marriage to Miss Keren L. Courtwright, who died in November, 1869, leaving three children: Fred, of Galesburg; Louise, the wife of John Wilcox; and De Forrest, who is familiarly known as Judd. On the 2Oth of September, 1883, Mr. Seacord was again married, his second union being with Mrs. Fannie M. Hollowell, nee Turner, of Kansas City, who still survives him. The death of Mr. Seacord occurred July 3, 1900, and in his demise the county lost one of its most valued and representative citizens. His political allegiance was given to the republican party and he belonged also to the Masonic fraternity, exemplifying in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft. He was a man of social disposition and of unfeigned cordiality, whose attractive qualities made him a congenial companion. His friendship always stood the test of time and he was loved by all. In fact there were few citizens in Knox county as popular and highly esteemed as was Wilkins Seacord, and the death of none has been more deeply deplored.

William D. Smith, depot master for the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Galesburg, was born in Portageville, New York, August i6, 1857. He ' comes of an old family of the Empire state. His grandfather was there bom and became a soldier of the War of 1812. In days of peace he followed the occupation of farming and was called to his final rest when in middle life. His wife, Mrs. Lavina Smith, also a native of New York, long survived him and died at the age of eighty-six years. They were the parents of three sons and four daughters, of whom one son died in childhood. The others were Joseph, Franklin, Abigail, Betsey, Louise and Laura. Of these. Franklin C. Smith was the father of William D. Smith. He, too, was born in New York and was reared in Wyoming county, where he practiced law for a few years. He afterward became a contractor on the Erie canal and in 1859 removed to Illinois, settling in Galesburg, where he lived for two years. He next located at Oneida, Illinois, where he engaged in the practice of law and also, filled the office of internal revenue collector for one term. He was a soldier of the Civil war and served for three years in the One Hundred and Second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, holding the rank of colonel. He made an excellent record, inspiring his men with much of his loyalty, zeal and bravery. He married Sarah M. Gilbert, who was born in New York, as were her parents. Her mother was a Miss Weed in maidenhood. Her father was proprietor of a hardware and tin store in Portage, New York, and died in middle life, while his wife reached the age of eighty-nine. Their family numbered three daughters and a son, including Caroline, Sophia, Sarah and Charles. As previously stated, Sarah M. Gilbert became the wife of Franklin C. Smith and unto them were born four children: Anna E., now deceased, who had been married twice, her first husband being Dr. Edwin Card and the second Edwin E. Terry; William D., of this review; Franklin C., who passed away at the age of three years ; and Ella, who died when seven years old.

William D. Smith was reared in Oneida, Illinois, between the age of four and sixteen years, and attended the public schools there. Coming to Galesburg, he served as brakeman and conductor in the service of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company from 1874 until 1887. He then went to Elgin, Nebraska, where he resided until 1891, devoting his time to farming upon a tract of one hundred and sixty acres which he owned. At length he sold that property and returned to Galesburg, reentering the employ of the Chicago, Bur- lington & Quincy Railroad Company as a brakeman. For the past twelve years he has been depot master, and his long connection with the line indicates the faithfulness and loyalty of his service and his capability.

In October, 1882, Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary D. Pike, a daughter of William Pike, whose wife in her maidenhood was Letitia D. Bull. They were residing in the outskirts of Galesburg at the time of Mrs. Smith's birth. They had come to this state from New York and her father died at Woodhull, where he was proprietor of a general store. Her mother passed away in Galesburg at the age of sixty-four years. In their family were but two children, Charles and Mary D. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, Lx)uise D., Gilbert C., Frank C. and Stanley W., the first named a graduate of the high school. Mrs. Smith belongs to the Congregational church and the family are well known socially in the community. Mr. Smith is a republican in his political views and conversant with the principles of the party and the leading questions of the day but has no ambition for office, his time and energies being given to his business duties, which are always most faithfully performed.

M. O. Williamson was born on the Atlantic Ocean, July 14, 1850. while his parents were on their way from Sweden to this country. They located in Knox county, where since has been the family home. The father died in 1853, leaving the mother with a family of six children. This family she cared for until they were all grown to man and womanhood. The mother died in 1886.

When a lad of thirteen years, M. O. Williamson learned the harness trade with Olson & Gray at Wataga, Illinois, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and worked at the bench thereafter for twenty-five years. His educational advantages were limited. He attended the district school up to the age of thirteen and stayed for a term of six months in the village school when seventeen years of age.

Mr. Williamson was married October i8, 1871, to Mary A. Driggs, of Wataga, Illinois, and there were born to them one son, who died in infancy, and two daughters. Adelaide F., born May 6, 1878, married -May 13, 1902, Edward Clyde Slocumb and their home is at present at Artesia, New Mexico. Nellie M. was born April 22, 1883, and married May 8, 1907, H. A. Whipple, her home at this time being at Galesburg, Illinois. M. O. Williamson, was elected and served as town and city clerk, alderman and justice of the peace. He was elected county treasurer of the county of Knox in 1886, and was elected county clerk of the same county in 1890, 1894 and 1898. In 1900 he was nominated and elected state treasurer. He was one of the organizers and is an active member of the Swedish-American Republican League of the state of Illinois, and was its president in 1897. In political faith, he is an earnest and consistent republican. He believes in his party creed, and has done much for the success of his party candidates and party principhs. In 1884 he was made lington & Quincy Railroad Company as a l)rakeman. For the past twelve years he has been depot master, and his long connection with the line indicates the faithfulness and loyalty of his service and his capability.

In October. 1882. Mr. Smith was married to Miss Mary D. Pike, a daughter of William Pike, whose wife in her maidenhood was Letitia D. Bull. They were residing in the outskirts of Galeslmrg at the time of Mrs. Smith's birth. They had come to this state from Xew York and her father died at Woodhull, where he was i)ro])rietor of a general store. Her mother passed away in Galesburg at the age of sixty-four years. In their family were but two children, Charles and Mary I). Unto Mr. and Mrs. Smith have been born four children, Louise IX, (lilbcrt C.. Frank C. and Stanley \V., the first named a graduate of the high school. Mrs. Smith belongs to the Congregational church and the family are well known socially in the community. Mr. Smith is a republican in his political views and conversant with the principles of the party and the leading (juestions of the day but has no ambition for office, his time and energies being given to his business duties, which are always most faithfully performed.

M. O. \\'illiamson was born on the Atlantic Ocean, July 14, 1850. while his parents were on their way from Sweden to this country. They located in Knox county, where since has been the family home. The father died in 1853, leaving the mother with a family of six children. This family she cared for until they were all grown to man and womanhood. The mother died in 1886.

\\'hen a lad of thirteen years, M. O. Williamson learned the harness trade with Olson ^ Ciray at \Vataga, Illinois, serving an apprenticeship of three years, and worked at the bench thereafter for twenty-five years. His educational advantages were limited. 1 le attended the district school up to the age of thirteen and stayed for a term of six months in the village school when seventeen years of age.

Mr. \\'illiamson was married October i8, 1871, to Mary A. Driggs, of U'ataga, Illinois, and there were born to them one son, who died in infancy, and two daughters. Adelaide I'., born May 6, 1878, married '^lay 13, 1902, r-'-dward Clyde Slocumb and their home is at jjresent at Artesia, New Mexico. Xellie M. was born Ajjril 22, 1883, and married May 8, 1907, H. A. Whipple, her home at this time being at Cialesburg, Illinois. M. O. Williamson was elected and served as town and city clerk, alderman and justice of the peace, lie was elected county treasurer of the county of Knox in 1886, and was elected county clerk of the same county in 1890, 1894 and 1898. In 1900 he was nominated and electe<l state treasurer. He was one of the organizers and is an active member of the Swedish-American Re]:)ublican League of the state of Illinois, and was its president in 1897. In political faith, he is an earnest and consistent republican. I le believes in his party creed, and has done much for the success of his party candidates and party princij^hs. In 1884 he was made

In 1890, he with his family removed to Galesburg, Illinois which has since been his home. He is a member of the Business Men's Club of Galesburg, the Hamilton Club of Chicago, and is a Knight Templar Mason, an Odd Fellow, a Knight of Pythias, and an Elk. He was for two years a member of the Lincoln Monument Association of Illinois, and it was during his term that the rebuilding of the Lincoln monument at Springfield was completed, and the remains of the martyred president were laid in their final resting place in the monument. Mr. Williamson is at this time president of the People's Trust & Savings Bank, of Galesburg, Illinois, one of the largest and most successful financial institutions in the state outside of Chicago. - -

- We know of no better biography of the late Hon. George W. Brown of Gales- ... ; burg, the inventor of the corn planter, than the following address delivered by 7 ; Hon. Qark E. Carr at the formal opening of Mr. Brown's great shops in Gales- ^

; "Fellow Citizens: I have prepared this paper at the request of some business . men of this city, who deemed it proper that during the inaugural ceremonies now ;; ; being celebrated, a brief history should be given of the invention of the com '

- planter and the founder of these great shops, Mr. George W. Brown. If Mr. . Brown had his own way tonight, nothing would be said about him ; but his friends

"Like most men who have conferred lasting benefits upon humanity, Mr. : Brown commenced life poor. He was born in Clifton Park township, Saratoga r V county. New York, on the 29th of October, 1815, and is sixty years old. He V remained upon the farm where he was born until he was fourteen, when he learned the carpenter's trade, in which he worked many years. He remembers distinctly. : the first boat which came through the Erie canal, with Dewitt Clinton and other

- distinguished persons on board, with band playing and flags flying. He worked ;- : at his trade on the railroad, built from Albany to Schenectady, sixteen miles long, ;

, roadmaster or trackmaster of this celebrated railroad, a position which he did not ; .- find to be lucrative. He was married before he was of age, to Maria Turpening. ; ;=' with whom he has lived happily all of these years, and to whom he is largely in- .'

-; debted for his success. They were both members of the Methodist church, and have continued their membership for over forty years. The old church which V

"Some near relatives of the young couple had gone to Illinois, who sent back glowing accounts of the prairie and of the possibilities of the future. There was room for the young mechanic - a chance to own a farm, make a home, establish a hearth-stone ; an opportunity to become independent. Besides, was there not an opportunity to build up that church and help plant the seeds of that religion to which they had consecrated their lives ? They did not hesitate, but bought a team and wagon, loaded all their available property, and started upon their long journey. It rained nearly all the way, and the roads were dreadful. Still the white, covered wagon kept on ; but the driver had as much work as had the horses, lifting and prying wheels when stuck fast in swamps and sloughs. Worn and weary they reached their destination, and located in July, 1836, before many who hear me were born, upon a farm near what was afterwards Tylerville, in Warren county, nine miles northwest of here. At that time there was not a house on this prairie. He traded his team for an eighty of land and went to work. He had a log house to build for himself, and the neighbors needed the services of a carpenter. For a long time he went out to work at his trade, and his wife conducted the farm. There was no pine lumber here, nothing but the hard woods of our groves, and it was no child's play to work them. Carpenters thoroughly appreciate the difference between pine and the oak and walnut of our forests.

"Money was hard to get when ten cents a bushel was a good price for corn, and three dollars a hundred a good price for pork. But where there was a will there was a way, and Mr. Brown, with plow and hoe, and saw and chisel, managed to make a living, although he laid by scarcely anything. There are many houses in the neighborhoods of Shanghai and Tylerville upon which he worked. He built the Alfred Brown house on this side of Henderson Grove. He also worked considerably in Galesburg and Knoxville. He built the house on the corner opposite the Universalist and Episcopal churches, owned and occupied by Mrs. Wells. He worked a winter in Knoxville, for Hon. James Knox, and built, among others, the building occupied by the First National Bank of that city.

"Mr. John S. Winter, county clerk, remembers being at his house in 1846, near Tylerville, a small log building. He found Mr. Brown barefooted, his only clothing a straw hat, hickory shirt and jean pants, literally in a brown study upon farm implements. Among other implements used were cultivators, and in 1848 Mr. Brown conceived the idea of turning a cultivator into a corn planter. His first idea was to drop three rows at once, placing the shovels of the cultivator as wide apart as he wished to have the corn rows, and boxes of corn on the beam's back of the shovel, so fixed that the center of each box would be over the middle of the furrows made by the shovels. A slide was so adjusted that by moving it there would be an aperture at the center of the bottom of each box large enough for from three to five kernels of corn to slip through, which would of course fall into the middle of each furrow behind the shovels. This slide was to be operated by a man walking behind the machine. He attached heavy wheels to the cultivator back of the boxes, which were made of sections sawed off from logs, and which would roll the ground after the corn was dropped in, filling and leveling the furrow.

anybody can do that !' That is true, almost anybody can do it - after he is shown how. You remember the story of Columbus. When he was told that many men had sailed to America, he called for an egg and asked any of those present to set it upon the small end and make it stand. None could do it, when he took it and tapping it on the table until slightly broken in, let go and it stood upright. Several voices shouted, 'Why, anybody can do that.' 'Yes,' answered the great discoverer, 'after he is shown the way.'

: "Out of these simple experiments upon a cultivator czime the perfected com planter, with which two men and a team can plant from sixteen to twenty acres of corn in a day.

"In the spring of 1851, -Mr. Brown made the first complete corn planter of the present style, and planted corn with it the following May. Prior to that he was experimenting, but it was his corn planter drop attached to a cultivator already described. In 1852 he planted with his improved machine sixteen acres for himself, and eight acres for Alfred Brown. That same spring he commenced the manufacture of ten machines, but, on account of poverty and embarrassments, only one was completed. About this time he determined to stake all he possessed upon the success of his invention. He had already sold everything about the place, including his last horse, to furnish means to secure his patents. He then sold his little farm for what he could get, went deeply into debt for more money, and took the chances of success. Times were hard and the facilities for manufacturing poor. He had no such machinery as you have seen here tonight ; but everything had to be done by hand. Very soon he was so much involved that, had he been called upon to pay, he would not have been worth a dollar. But he was an upright man ; had a good name ; was full of enthusiasm for his new invention ; and his largest creditors were willing to give him a fair trial. But he was frequently obliged to pay exorbitant rates of interest - sometimes from one to two per cent a month, and once three per cent for one month, and a short month at that. He commenced manufacturing at Shanghai, and in 1853 completed twelve machines, one of which that season planted three hundred acres of corn. In 1854 he made a hundred machines, and in 1855 he made three hundred machines, after which he removed to Galesburg. In 1856 he made six hundred machines, and in 1857 he made a thousand machines. It is not necessary for me to give in detail the number of machines in detail manufactured since that time. It is enough to say that last year Mr. Brown manufactured six thousand machines, and had orders which came too late been a little less tardy, he would have manufactured and sold many hundreds more. ! . ^; ,;^ -:;.^^.^ : Vr-'c -'-"^^' - .- - \ ~ ''

"Everyone knew that corn could be planted with a hoe and would come up, but would it grow when run through the hopper of this newfangled machine? All could see that the machine would run very prettily through a field, but did it leave the corn in the right places in the proper quantities ? Was it well covered, and would it grow ? It was a serious matter for the manufacturers to answer these questions.

- "It is not necessary to go through the years of long wearisome lawsuits. , Shakespeare in Hamlet's soliloquy makes the 'law's delay' an excuse for suicide, and Dickens vividly protrays the miseries produced by the slow court of chancery in the imaginary case of Jarndyce and Jarndyce. It is enough for our purpose to state that in May, 1874, after hearing all the evidence and arguments, the supreme court of the United States, the highest judicial tribunal on this continent, declared that George W. Brown was the inventor of the corn planter. Soon after this decision was announced, most of those who had been engaged in the ^ manufacture of planters came forward and paid Mr. Brown a royalty upon the .''vL machines they had made. .- ' --

"The completion of these magnificent shops, with their monstrous capacity for /--'>'. turning out corn planters, marks an era in the history of Galesburg well worthy of '----'-.' '- - inaugural ceremonies. The buildings comprise foundry, polishing rooms, black- .' -, v smith shops, wheel building (they do not use logs for wheels now) and office, ';- besides this immense building. There are in these buildings thirty thousand square feet of floors. This building with some other improvements made this ;u. summer, cost sixty thousand dollars. With the present facilities, Mr. Brown can ;, .T manufacture twenty thousand planters a year. I-

"I have thus as briefly as possible given a history of inventor and invention. ' ; :. Concerning Mr. Brown, I would be glad to say all that is in my heart. These ' ;- great shops. Brown's Hotel, the Methodist Church edifice, proclaim his enterprise "-- and public spirit more eloquently than any mere words can do. He has little of the learning of schools, and no mere accomplishments; yet there are very few more :'-v, competent mechanics, and he is always a gentleman. He will not be ranked as '.' either statesman or philosopher; yet there are no purer patriots, nor more practi- ;; - cal common-sense men. He never preaches morality, but always practices it. He never wrangles upon doctrine, but is always a Christian. Would that we had i^ more such men ! Who can estimate their influence upon humanity ? Give me the ..' . name, if you can, of a statesman whose whole life of lofty endeavor has given him . - a claim to gratitude equal to that of Johan Gutenberg, the inventor of printing. .-. Call to mind, if you please, a military hero whose memory humanity has so much - f reason to bless, as that of George Stephenson. The mighty deeds of Alexander / ;' and Hannibal, of Caesar and Napoleon - what are they compared with the tri- :

"How many men during the war represented in the army McCormick's reapers ./. and Brown's corn planters ; or what would have been the difference in the muster rolls if wheat had been cut by cradles and the corn planted with hoes, when the interest of our great armies depended upon wheat and corn? We in Galesburg /;. can see how many families are fed and clothed by the seventy-five thousand dol- ; -' lars paid out annually in wages by Mr. Brown and how this money finds its way > ; into and stimulates every branch of business ; but who can estimate the comforts (-J/ and advantages derived from this one machine in the Mississippi valley?" 1 ; . '

The above glowing tribute is the history of George W. Brown to 1875, paid to him by one of the closest observers of the economic conditions of the state of Illinois and of the nation. From 1875 until 1892 Mr. Brown had active man- ; agement of the shops. The business increased and flourished and was incorpor- : I ated under the name of George W. Brown & Company. Mr. I. S. Perkins was V^ general manager for a number of years. Loren Stevens was secretary, A. O. Peterson was master mechanic, and James E. Brown, son of George W. Brown,' was treasurer. The shop buildings were enlarged to more than double their original size and a great deal of other machinery besides corn planters was manufactumed there, such as corn shellers, rakes, cultivators, discs, and other farming ; implements. During the year 1886 Mr. Brown purchased a ranch at Riverside,

California, and spent a great deal of the winter months in his western home. He had one of the most beautiful orange ranches in the Santa Ana valley and spared neither time nor expense in putting it in shape.

Mr. Brown was always an active participant in public affairs and even in his declining years did not cease to take a helpful interest in matters relative to the general good. He served for one term as mayor of Galesburg and during his administration the first attempts were made to establish hard-road streets.

In 1891 Mrs. Brown, who had by her loving example and industrious life and her worthy counsel, assisted Mr. Brown in his brightest as well as his darkest days, expired at Galesburg, surrounded by her family, consisting of Mrs. Elizabeth Perrin, Mrs. Jennie S. Cowan and James E. Brown. Her death was a sad blow to Mr. Brown and apparently he never recovered from the effects. In the winter time he would go, first with one daughter and then with the other, to California, there to spend his winters, his health being very much impaired. In the spring of 1895 he returned to Galesburg earlier than usual. Anxious to see the old place of his early struggles in Illinois and his old friends who were living near Tylerville, he took his team and buggy and drove to Tylerville. The day was fair enough when he started, but before night it developed into a roaring, blustering storm. Not being acclimated to such weather Mr. Brown contracted a severe cold which developed into pneumonia and he died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Cowan, on the 2d of June, 1895. He left surviving him an only son, James E. Brown, who was manager of the Brown & Company Planter Works from the withdrawal of I. S. Perkins until the death of his father, George W. Brown. Immediately afterward the son went to Riverside, California, to take care of the large financial interests which his father had acquired there. He pur- * chased the shares of the other heirs in the property there and added three or four other ranches to the holdings which his father had acquired. The surviving daughters are .Mrs. M. T. Perrin, and Mrs. Jennie S. Cowan. Both live in Galesburg, surrounded by their children.

Mr. James E. Brown is residing in California now. He is a director of one of the banks and a director of the La Mesa Fruit Packing Company. His wife died at Galesburg in November, 1910, while they were visiting his daughter, Mrs. M. J. Daugherty. Mr. Brown has two daughters living, Mrs. M. J. Daugherty and Mrs. A. L. Woodill. The latter lives near her father in Riverside, California. Mr. James E. Brown was for many years a director in the Galesburg National Bank of Galesburg. He was a public-spirited man and although of a retiring nature was admittedly one of Galesburg's financiers. Mrs. Cowan and Mrs. Perrin have spent their lives in Galesburg and can enjoy the many incidents that George W. Brown's life left in the history of the city. ;, ; ,

George W. Brown was a free giver to every enterprise that came to Galesburg. He was one of the donors to the Santa Fe railroad and he liberally contributed toward other public enterprises of all kinds. He owned two farms two miles east of Galesburg and on each of them he constructed a lake. The first was a small one, which he called Lake Washington, and then he constructed another lake partly in Galesburg township and partly in Knox township, just north of Main street, which he called Lake George. This lake he offered several times to the city of Galesburg, together with the property surrounding it, for less than what it cost him, the intention being to establish a public park there with water supply for the city. The offer was refused. Finally the heirs sold the property to the Burlington road for their water supply and they changed the name to Lake Rice. It is not denied or questioned that the most public-spirited man that Galesburg ever had was George W. Brown. It is further not denied or questioned that George W. Brown made many valuable donations to public enterprises, especially to religious and educational institutions, and yet, singfular to say, with all that, no place has been dedicated to his name, no effort made to assist the citizens of Galesburg in preserving the memory of a man whose works for thirty years contributed the largest revenues the city ever had, with the exception of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. The great achievements of George W. Brown in a business way will long survive his memory as a great and good citizen. In the past Galesburg has failed to realize what she has lost but his name and good works will be a monument to his memory for years to come.

In the history of the pioneers of Knox county it is imperative that mention be made of Riley Root who arrived at Log City in the latter part of July, 1836. From that time forward until his death he was closely associated, save for a brief period, with the development and progress of this part of the state. His talents were varied and along many lines he displayed more than ordinary ability. He was an inventor whose ideas have become practical in mechanical circles, and he possessed talents of seemingly diverse nature in that he was a musician of considerable skill and ability. His impress for good was also felt along many other lines and Galesburg has reason to honor him as one of her worthy and valued early settlers. He was born at Durham, Greene county, New York, August 29, 1795, and passed away February 24, 1870. He was descended from good old Anglo-Saxon stock, his ancestry being traced back directly to John Root who emigrated to America from Badby, England, in the year 1630. Ten years later he married Miss Mary Kilbourne who came to America in 1635. They settled in Farmington, Connecticut, and became the progenitors of the family whose representatives for many generations continued to reside in New England. Thomas Root, the father of Riley Root, was born in Westfield, Massachusetts, September 25, 1765, and died at Camden, New York, January 22, 1826. He was married in Westfield, Massachusetts, February lo, 1791, to Prmcess Noble, who was born in Westfield, May 8, 1766, and died at Camden, New York, April 5, 1830. At the time of their marriage they removed to Durham, Greene county. New York, where Thomas Root purchased a farm on which he resided until 1821. He then bought land in Camden and removed to that place where he and his wife continued to reside until called to their final rest. They were the parents of five children, Roland, Mrs. Clarissa Phelps, Riley, Reuben and Royal.

Riley Root early developed traits of character that foreshadowed upright purpose and honorable manhood. He remained with his parents upon the home farm through the period of his youth and his educational advantages were somewhat limited but he attended the district school as opportunity offered.

V This however, did not satisfy his thirst for knowledge. So anxious was he to --:s- increase his fund of information that, in an age when books were very scarce : ' he kept a dictionary on the mantel and utilized every spare moment in poring ,' /'- over its pages. He thus stored his mind with many valuable bits of knowledge .; . and such was his mental power that he was able to systematize these and use ! the information at will. In early youth he was a pupil in the Westfield - (Mass.) Academy for a time, there preparing for teaching and also pursuing a course in surveying. For many years he taught school and displayed particu- -/;: /^ .^ lar ability in imparting readily and clearly to others the knowledge he had -,' ' acquired. In 1821 he purchased a farm at Camden, New York, and resided '^ . thereon until 1836 but spent much time in the interim in surveying in addition ' ; to performing the work of the fields. In 1835, when a company was organized for the purpose of building a college town in what was then considered the far ;: west, he became one of the number and in the latter part of July, 1836, arrived y at Log City, Knox county, Illinois. Possessing expert mechanical ability he aided

- V in erecting the first house in Galesburg and also assisted largely in the building - V of the old First church. In 1837 he procured some big stones and at his own -

; fireside, with the aid of only a small chisel and hammer, he shaped these into , millstones. Then in company with another, he erected a horse-power gristmill, --- and thus furnished the only means for the colonists within a radius of fifty v. miles to get their grain ground until a waterpower mill, known as Olmstead's :\ ^ '. mill, near Monmouth, was erected. He continued an active factor in the work > ' .', of progress and development here until April, 1848, when, in company with ;!: others, he traveled in a train of twenty-five wagons drawn by oxen, overland ; ,: -:- for Oregon, arriving at his destination in the autumn. In the following spring ' he went to California where gold had just been discovered. He remained for ; some time searching for the precious metal but ill health forced him to return : - / home and taking the route via the Isthmus of Panama and New Orleans he . ;: arrived in Knox county on the 8th of January, 1850, being the first man to '/ ' - return from the gold fields of California. Upon his return he wrote a book concerning his travels, giving a graphic account of the trip and a description : .'- ; ; of the processes of mining gold on the Pacific coast. He possessed considerable f : literary ability and in 1866 he wrote a treatise on musical philosophy and made ; A a keyboard to illustrate the transposition of the scale. He was very fond of . ; music and during his later years devoted much time to the study of the art. He

;; shrank from appearing in public as an interpreter of the art. With only the ' - simple tools at his command he made, working at his own fireside a violin of --.; ;x such excellent tone and quality that it was purchased by one of Galesburg's '- leading musicians. His skill along mechanical lines was variously shown and ;\: . he gave to the world a number of valuable inventions. In 1857 he secured a : <. patent for the first rotary fan blower - a machine for clearing the snow from the railroad tracks. The device proved successful beyond his expectations, but -.- through lack of funds he was unable to demonstrate its usefulness to the -V . skeptical public and the officials of the new railroad enterprise who could not . grasp the importance of such a machine. The patent therefore was allowed to V^ expire. Later the efficiency of his invention became apparent to officials of the tracks where the greatest snow blockades occur. About the time he was perfecting his snow plow he secured the patent on a device for holding a spirit level in surveying, besides a number of other patents of value. He ordered made the first glass fruit jars ever used. They were closed with corks and sealed with wax and held four and six quarts. He also devised a magfnetic battery and took magnetic treatments in his own home. Whenever he realized a need it seemed he could meet it by reason of his superior inventive skill and ingenuity.

On the 7th of October, 1821, Mr. Root was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Butler who was born at Durham, New York, April 9, 1803, and died at Camden that state on the 25th of June, 1834. Five children were born to them but only two, Dency Elizabeth and Clarissa Noble, reached years of maturity. During his later years Mr. Root lived a more retired life, dividing his time between his two daughters. To him was accorded the precious prize of keen mentality to the last, and his physical powers were also but slightly impaired in the closing years of his life. In 1870 he walked two miles on a bitter cold day, notwithstanding the protest of his daughters, to obtain castings for a steel sphere to be magnetized - a work which had not then been accomplished. He contracted a severe cold which brought on pneumonia and he passed away three days later. I-'. "'-

Mr. Root was always a man of retired disposition and of few words. He spent his leisure in research along many scientific lines and remained a student to the last. Few college-bred men possessed as comprehensive a knowledge of scientific laws and principles, and in addition, Mr. Root was a man of more than ordinary literary attainments. During his travels, which covered many sec-; tions of the country, he gathered many choice curios and rare geological specimens. Although more than four decades have passed since he was called from this life it is well known that his contributions to the world's work were valuable, and some of these have not yet reached their full fruition. As the pioneer inventor of the rotary snow plow, who can measure how great is the influence and result of his work or who can estimate how much suffering as well as delay in time has been prevented by the use of this device which he brought forth ? His investigation and researches along scientific lines were ever a stimulus to others. Dijath gives the perspective which places man in his true relations with his fellows and his age, and in this instance indicates clearly how far reaching in its efforts was the life of one of Galesburg's most honored pionee;rs.

Frank E. Johnson, proprietor of the Johnson Fuel Company located at 646 Chambers street, Galesburg, was born in this city on the 7th of March, 1868. His parents were Andrew F. and Anna (Peterson) Johnson, both natives of Westergotland, Sweden. There the father, whose birth occurred on Christmas day, 1823, learned the carpenter's trade and he also served in the Swedish army. Both parents emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating in Galesburg, where they were subsequently married. Andrew F. Johnson was a skilled mechanic, and for many years was successfully engaged in carpentry work and contracting, thus acquiring a competence that enabled him to spend his latter the tracks where the greatest snow blockades occur. About the time he was l^erfecting his snow plow he secured the patent on a device for holding a spirit level in surveying, besides a number of other patents of value. He ordered made the first glass fruit jars ever used. They were closed with corks and sealed with wax and held four and six quarts. He also devised a magnetic battery and took magnetic treatments in his own home. \\'henever he realized a need it seemed he could meet it by reason of his superior inventive skill and ingenuity.

On the "th of October. i(S2i, Mr. Root was united in marriage to Miss Lavinia Butler who was born at Durham, Xew York. April 9. 1803. and died at Camden that state on the 25th of June. 1834. Five children were bom to them but only two. Dency IClizabeth and Clarissa Xoble. reached years of maturity. During his later years Mr. Root lived a more retired life, dividing his time between his two daughters. To him was accorded the precious prize of keen mentality to the last, and his physical powers were also but slightly impaired in the closing years of his life. In 1870 he walked two miles on a bitter cold day, notwithstanding the protest of his daughters, to obtain castings for a steel sphere to be magnetized - a work which had not then been accomplished. He contracted a severe cold which brought on pneumonia and he passed away three days later. . : I

Mr. Root was always a man of retired disposition and of few words. He spent his leisure in research along many scientific lines and remained a student to the last. I'^ew college-l)red men possessed as comjjrehensive a knowledge of scientific laws and principles, and in addition. Mr. Root was a man of more than ordinary literary attainments. During his travels, which covered many sections of the country, he gathered many choice curios and rare geological specimens. Although more than four decades have i)assed since he was called from this life it is well known that his contributions to the \\ orkl's work were valualile, and some of these have not yet reached their full fruition. As the pioneer inventor of the rotary snow plow, who can measure how great is the influence and result of his work or who can estimate how much suffering as well as delay in time has been prevented by the use of this device which he brought forth? His investigation and researches along scientific lines were ever a stimulus to others. Death gives the perspective which places man in his true relations with his fellows and his age. and in this instance indicates clearly how far reaching in its efforts was the life of one of Galesburg's most honored pioneers.

Frank E. Johnson, proprietor of the Johnson Fuel Company located at 646 Chambers street, (ialesburg. was born in this city on the jth of March, 1868. His parents were Andrew F. and Anna (Peterson) Johnson, both natives of Westergotland, Sweden. There the father, whose birth occurred on Christmas day, 1823, learned the carpenter's trade and he also served in the Swedish army. Roth parents emigrated to the United States in 1852, locating in Galesburg. where they were subse(|uently married. Andrew F. Johnson was a skilled mechanic, and for many years was successfully engaged in carpentry work and contracting, thus acquiring a competence that enabled him to spend his latter days in retirement. He passed away in November, 1899, at the age of almost seventy-six years. Both parents held membership in the Swedish Lutheran church, which the father erected in 1868, and for many years, he was one of its officers. In his political views he was a republican. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson numbered four, of whom our subject is the youngest. The others were as follows: Charles F., who is deceased; Tillie M., who is at home; and Oscar F., who died in infancy.

The education of Frank E. Johnson was begun in the public schools and completed by a commercial course in Brown's Business College. After laying aside his text-books, he worked with his father at the carpenter's trade for seven years, and then entered the employ of the Simpson Lumber Company. For fifteen years he held the position of manager of the latter enterprise, and during that time he bought out the business he is now conducting, which was founded by Cline & Shaw. In 1908 he gave up his position with the lumber company and has ever since given his undivided attention to the development of his fuel business. It has made a very substantial growth since he undertook its management three years ago, and gives the most gratifying assurance of prospering. He carries both hard and soft coal as well as coke and wood and every other variety of fuel, maintaining both a wholesale and retail department. Mr. Johnson is the type of man who niakes anything he undertakes succeed, having not only the enterprise and industry but the determination of purpose that refuses to recognize defeat. . ^

In this city on the 6th of October, 1896, Mr. Johnson was united in marriage to Miss J. Pauline Anderson, a daughter of Hans and Hannah Anderson, and they have become the parents of two daughters, Helen Frances and Ruth Margaret. . ' - I- ;

Both Mr. and Mrs. Johnson are members of the First Swedish Lutheran church. His fraternal relations are with the order of Odd Fellows and the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. His connections with organizations of a more purely social nature are confined to the Galesburg and Country Clubs, while he keeps in touch with his fellow business men through the medium of the Retail Merchants Association. His political support is given to the republican party, but he has never sought public honors, preferring to give his entire time and attention to the promotion of his business interests. The Johnson Fuel Company was founded on the 4th of July, 1903, and its development must be entirely attributed to his clear judgment, sagacity and unceasing effort.

< Doctor McClelland was only three years of age when brought by his parents ' to the new world. He early displayed special aptitude in his studies and his fondness for learning led him to continue his education beyond the public schools. - v, He prepared for college in Denmark Academy, Denmark, Iowa, and was gradu- ' - y ated from Oberlin College in 1875 with the degree of Bachelor of Arts. Eight ' - : years later, his alma mater conferred upon him the degree of Master of Arts. In >; ,;:- the meantime, he had been a student in the Oberlin Theological Seminary in . - 1876-7, and in the Union Theological Seminary, in 1877-8, and in 1880, he was ^ graduated from the Andover (Mass.) Theological Seminary, having thus thor- '.,. - oughly qualified for the ministry. However, his work has been mostly done in the college class room, rather than in the pulpit. In 1880, he accepted the position of professor of philosophy at Tabor College, where he remained until 1891. In the fall of that year, he became president of the Pacific University of Oregon, where J> - he continued until 1900. In September of the latter year, he was called to the . ;- presidency of Knox College. During his administration, the college has made most -; gratifying progress, both in its educational standing and in its material and finan- - .. cial resources. - ' - - ' I '-- .

- On the i9th of August, 1880, in Denmark, Iowa, Doctor McQelland was mar- ; ;t ried to Miss Harriet C. Day and by this union three children were born to . - them, Kellogg Day, Cochran Bruce and Ruth Marjory. .

Doctor McClelland has become widely known in educational circles. In 1891, ' - .- Tabor College conferred upon him the degree of Doctor of Divinity. In 1905, the University of Illinois honored him with the degree of Doctor of Law. He ' has been a trustee of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching since its establishment in 1905. ,. ,

Charles Alfred Hinckley at one time lived on a farm that embraced the district between Seminary and Chambers streets in Galesburg and north of Grove street and the fields which he once cultivated are converted into a thickly populated and splendidly improved district of that city. With the history of Knox county from pioneer times he was closely associated, arriving here in 1846 - the year in which he attained his majority. He was born January 23, 1825, in Meredith, Delaware county. New York, and was descended from Samuel Hinckley, who came of good English stock, and was born at Tenderden, in the county of Kent, England, in 1595. He brought his family to the new world, accompanied by Nathaniel Tilden, an ancestor of Governor Samuel J. Tilden, of political fame. They embarked on the sailing ship Hercules, a vessel of two hundred tons, in 1634, sailing from Sandwich, the seaport of Kent, and several months later reached Boston, taking up their abode at Scituate, about twenty miles from Boston. Later they removed to Barnstable, where the parents died. Their youngest son was John Hinckley. the founder of the branch of the family to which Charles A. Hinckley, of Galesburg. belonged. He settled in Stonington, Connecticut. Mrs. Hannah (Wheeler) Hinckley, the grandmother of Charles A. Hinckley, was a descendant of John Howland, of the Plymouth colony. Alfred Hinckley, the father of Charles A. Hinckley, was born in Berne, Albany county. New York, December 6, 1799, and died at Galesburg, March lo, 1888, He fpl- lowed agricultural pursuits and also conducted a sawmill in New York. In that state he married Eliza Stanley Van Devort, who was born in Cork, Ireland, June 25, 1797, and died in Galesburg, March 4, 1874. Mrs. Hinckley had been brought to America by her parents in 1799, when about two years of age. The voyage, undertaken by a sailing vessel, was a stormy one and it was feared that they would not reach their destination. During one severe storm the mother put her two little daughters in a wooden chest and locked them in so that in case the boat sunk they would not be devoured by sharks. Mrs. Hinckley was reared in the Empire state and in Delaware county, March 23, 1824, gave her hand in marriage to Alfred Hinckley. The year 1846 witnessed their removal to Illinois, at which time they settled on a farm south of Knoxville, but later removed to Galesburg. In their family were six children, Charles Alfred, Mary Eliza, George Wheeler, William Stanley, Francis Edward and Harriette Amelia. Of these Mary E. and George W. are still living.

Like many other boys of his day the opportunities which Charles Alfred Hinckley had for obtaining an education were quite limited. He spent the three months' winter term as a pupil in the district schools while the remainder of the year was devoted to hauling logs to his father's sawmill or to the work of the farm. When sixteen or seventeen years of age he secured the position of driver on the towpath of the Erie canal. When twenty years of age, in company with his sister Mary he journeyed westward to Illinois, with Knoxville as his destination. For a time he lived with his uncle, W. H. Holcomb, where he proved his usefulness in doing any tasks that were assigned him. For his labor he received the munificent sum of nine dollars per month, a sum paid him in provisions for the family when they arrived in Illinois the following spring. During the winter of 1845-6 he carried the mail on horseback from Princeton to Macomb. The winter was severe with deep snow, artd it was not an easy task to follow the trail over the unbroken prairie, many times through l>linding snow storms. The following spring he rented a farm south of Knoxville and thus had a home in readiness for his parents and the other members of the family upon their arrival in June. In 1849 they removed to Galesburg, renting what was then known as the Kellogg farm, situated between Seminary and Chambers streets and north of Grove street. The old barn which they used still remains in about the middle of the block. In 1852 the family purchased from the trustees of Knox College a quarter section in the northeast part of the city. In 1857 he arranged to buy out the interests of the others of the family in that property and they removed to a farm across the street to the west, leaving Charles A. Hinckley in possession of the farm upon which he lived until his death, on the I5th of October, 1910. It was not an easy task to make payments upon the place and carry on the work of improvement. ]\Iany were the vicissitudes, struggles and trials, but with the encouragement and aid of his wife, who was judicious in management, far-seeing and helpful, he paid for the original farm and added something to the first purchase. '

It was in Galesburg, on the I7th of March, i86i, that Mr. Hinckley was married to Miss Clarissa N. Root, the wedding ceremony being performed by the Rev. Kingsbury of the First Baptist church. Mrs. Hinckley is the daughter of Riley and Lavinia (Butler) Root, and was born in Camden, New York, November 22, 1831. She is one of the few survivors of the founders of Gales- burg and is at present the only living member in Galesburg of that memorable canal boat party that came from New York to Illinois by water, the trip extending over a period of three months through the heated season of the year, being terminated when they reached Log City, August 2, 1836. Her father, Riley Root, was born August 29, 1795, and died February 24, 1870. He was of good old English stock, being a descendant of John Root, the emigrant ancestor who came to America in 1630. The wife of Riley Root was born April 9, 1803, and passed away June 25, 1834. Five daughters were born of their marriage but only two, Dency E. and Clarissa N., reached maturity. The father was a mechanic and inventor of rare ability, bringing out a number of valuable inventions, the most important of which was a rotary fan blower, a machine for clearing the snow from the railroad tracks. The device proved successful but for lack of funds he was unable to demonstrate its usefulness to the skeptical public and officials of a new railroad enterprise, and the patent was allowed to expire. Later its efficiency was noted by officials of the western roads and today the principle which he used is employed in machines for clearing the tracks where the greatest snow blockades occur. In 1837 Mr. Root cut millstones and built a horse-power grist mill which was the only mill within a radius of fifty miles until the erection of Olmstead's water-power mill near Monmouth, Illinois. The Root mill was a great convenience to the settlers, being chiefly used to grind corn and sorghum. Mr. Root also assisted in erecting the first house built in the city of Galesburg and in other ways took a most active and helpful part in promoting public progress and in laying the foundation for the city's present prosperity.

Mr. and Mrs. Hinckley became the parents of four children : Pluma E. ; Mrs. Ada P. Chapman ; Arthur E. ; and Alice G. Lavinia, who departed this life February 20, 1904. In his political views Mr. Hinckley was a republican from the time of the organization of the party. His first vote had been cast for General Zachary Taylor. He joined the First Baptist church of Galesburg on its organization and at his death was its oldest member. Both the Hinckley and the Root families have taken a very active and helpful part in matters relating to general progress and improvement in Galesburg and Knox county, and no history of this section would be complete without according to them due recognition of what has been done in laying the foundations for the present development of this part of the state.

When keen business judgment supplements tireless labor the result is certain. Those qualities were dominant factors in the life of Joseph Thirlwell and gradually he worked his way upward in the business world to a place of distinction. He was born at Combhill, Northumberland, England, July '' 5, 1827, a son of John and Ruth Thirlwell. The father died in England after . which the mother married again and with her son Joseph came to America, '- settling in Galesburg. They landed on American shores on the 4th of July, --': 1849, and made their way direct to Knox county. .

In the meantime Joseph Thirlwell had obtained a fair education in the common schools of his native town and had learned the stone mason's trade. After arriving in Galesburg he purchased a farm that now lies in the outskirts of the city and was a part of the college grant land. In addition to the cultivation of his fields he worked at his trade, building culverts on the land of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, then in the course of construction. He also worked on various buildings in Galesburg. He was a natural mechanic and very efficient in all tasks of a ipechanical nature. Whatever he did was characterized by thoroughness and this was one of the elements that brought him success. His first house on his farm was of frame but he later erected one of brick and that still stands. Mr. Thirlwell burned the brick for his second building, and he did much to further the work of improvement upon his homestead. He was very thrifty, had keen business judgment and was possessed of unfaltering industry. As the years passed he became interested in investments and speculation and amassed a fortune. His opinion of the value of a business proposition was usually sound. He seemed to know where the most advantageous investments could be made and time proved the wisdom of his opinions. When he passed away he had many financial interests and was a director of the First National Bank and the Farmers & Mechanics Bank, both of Galesburg. He lived and died on the farm which he purchased on his removal to Knox county, having in the meantime brought it to a high state of cultivation. For years it was the "first premium" farm of the county and also won the cash prize and gold medal at the Illinois State Fair.

- In 1876, at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England, Mr, Thirlwell was married to Miss Charlotte Bullman of England, who died April 23, 1891. The following year Mr. Thirlwell wedded Miss Caroline Giddings of Galesburg and for nine years they traveled life's journey happily together, being separated by the death of Mr. Thirlwell on the I4th of Felpruary, 1901. In politics he was a republican and fraternally was connected with the Masons. He was domestic in his tastes and loved his home and fireside, spending his happiest hours there. While he had membership in no church he was actuated in all he did by high principles and was a liberal giver to all denominations. He also gave generously to charitable organizations and to the needy individual, in fact, his hand was ever outreaching in aid and sympathy to those in distress, and in matters of citizenship he was public spirited, seeking ever the welfare and best interests of the community ; in a word, he stood for helpfulness and for progress and he accomplished much good in the span of life allotted him which covered almost seventy-four years.

Although Dr. Charles W. Leffingwell has since 1908 made his home in Pasadena, California, he yet gives a portion of his time to St. Mary's school at Knoxville, of which he was the founder and of which he still continues rector. Moreover, he was an honored citizen of Knox county for forty years and his life's labors have constituted an important chapter in its history. A man of scholarly attainments, whose talents have been devoted to the work of assisting and instructing his fellowmen along intellectual and moral lines, his influence has been of no restricted order, for from the platform and through the press he has left the impress of his thought and purpose upon the lives of many. He was born in Ellington, Connecticut, December 5, 1840, a son of Lyman and Sarah Chapman (Brown) Leffingwell, both of whom were natives of Connecticut and were representatives of old families of that state. The father was a descendant of Lieutenant Thomas Leffingwell, a leader in the colony which settled in Norwich, Connecticut, about 1637.

Although born in New England, Dr. Leffingwell spent a portion of his youth in Knox county and was graduated from Knox College in Galesburg with the class of 1862. In recognition of the excellent work which he had done in connection with the ministry his alma mater conferred upon him the Doctor of Divinity degree in 1875. Ere he pursued his college course he took up the profession of teaching and was principal of the Galveston Academy in 1859-60. He also served as deputy surveyor of Galveston county. Following his graduation from Knox College he became military instructor in the Poughkeepsie Military Institute, where he remained from 1862 until 1865. In the meantime he had determined to enter upon the active work of the ministry and was graduated at the Nashotah Theological Seminary with the class of 1867. The same year he was ordained deacon and priest and was assigned to the position of assistant minister of St. James church in Chicago. The following year he founded St. Mary's school at Knoxville, Illinois, with which he has been more or less actively connected to the present time. He has also been rector of the school since 1868. Along varied and constantly broadening lines his usefulness has extended and in many fields of labor his work has been a vital element for moral and intellectual progress. He was connected with St. Alban's school in 1890 and for twenty-one years he was editor and publisher of The Living Church, a paper published weekly in Chicago to further the interests of his denomination. In every possible way he has promoted the growth and extended the influence of his church, being an active factor in its organized and in its individual efforts. He has been president of the standing committee of the diocese of Quincy (111.) since its organization in 1878 and has been deputy to the general convention since 1877. He has also been secretary and treasurer of Jubilee College, rector of St. Alban's school since 1890 and visitor of St. Martha's school of Knoxville. He is likewise a trustee of the Western Theological Seminary at Chicago and is a lecturer on church history in the Training School for Deaconesses in Los Angeles, California. He has likewise proved himself a capable business man in connection with more material interests, being the president of the Leffingwell Rancho, Inc., of Whittier, in California. Along the lines of general progress and improvement he has likewise been active and especially in the fields of scientific investigation. He is a member of the American Geographical Society, the Chicago Geographic Society, the National Geographic Society and the Archaeological Institute of America.

In 1862, at Westfield, New York, Dr. Leffingwell was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Francis, daughter of John Francis, who came from Kent, England, to the new world. The children of this marriage are: Charles Warring, who married Virginia Rowland, and resides in Pasadena, California ; Ernest De Kovin, an Arctic explorer ; Hortense Nesbit, the wife of Harlan R. Wilson ; Ger- trude, the wife of Dr. John Walter Vaughan ; and Alice, who became the wife of I>r. John T. Binkley, of Chicago, and died leaving one child, Madeline, who is now living with her grandparents. As stated. Dr. Leffingwell now makes his home in Pasadena, California, although his various duties, interests and activities call him frequently elsewhere. He belongs to the Valley Hunt Qub of Pasadena and the Annandale Country Qub, but he also still holds membership in the University Club and the Church Qub of Chicago and in the Galesburg and Kiioxville City Clubs. It would be tautological in this connection to enter into any series of statements showing Dr. Leffingwell to be a man of broad intelligence and genuine public spirit, for these have been shadowed forth between the lines of this review. Strong in his individuality, he never lacks the courage of his convictions but there are as dominating elements in his individuality a lively human sympathy and an abiding charity, which, as taken in connection with the sterling integrity and honor of his character, have naturally gained for him the respect and confidence of men. . .. , , .

Thirty-seven years have passed since Professor Nehemiah H. Losey was called from this life, and yet Galesburg will never cease to honor his memory because his work lives on in the lives of those who came under his teachings and those who have benefited by the instruction received in Knox College, of which he was one of the founders and promoters. He was born in Orange county. New York, in 1804, and was graduated from Middlebury College, Vermont, in that city, with the class of 1830. Taking up the profession of teaching as a life work, he was connected with the Potsdam (N. Y.) Academy for a time and subsequently became a teacher in Whitesboro, New York. While in the latter place he became interested in the project instituted by the Rev. Dr. Gale for founding and endowing a Christian college in the then far west. He became one of the incorporators of Knox College and a lifelong member of its board of trustees. For seventeen years he was secretary of the board and for eleven years was its treasurer. He came to Illinois in the early summer of the year 1836 and surveyed and laid out the town of Galesburg. He then returned to Michigan for his family and in the fall again reached Knox county and opened a school at Log City, Henderson Grove, with Miss Lucy Gay as his assistant. In that school both the common and classical branches were taught and this constituted the real foundation of Knox College. In connection with his school duties he served as -the town's first postmaster, being appointed in 1837 and acting in that capacity for four years. He remained as principal of the academy until college courses were organized and introduced, at which time he was elected to the chair of mathematics and natural philosophy, which position he held until the year i86i, when failing health compelled him to resign. During the earlier years of the school he also filled the chair of physics and chemistry and the progress of the school is indicative of the excellent work which he did in collaboration with the other teachers of the institution. He ever held to high ideals in his work, was progressive in his methods and kept in touch with the advancement continuously being made in the teachers profession. . --,.:---... : .-:;-- - , : . . \v

Soon after resigning Professor Losey returned to New York, where he resided for three years, and then again came to Galesburg. He was elected to the office of treasurer of the college, which position he filled to the time of his death in June, 1875.

His political allegiance was given to the republican party and his religious faith was that of the Presbyterian church. He. was one of the first in the Upper Mississippi valley to plant the seeds of higher civilization. When Chicago was struggling to maintain its place as a thriving village he was engaged in the organization and conduct of a school that in the scope of its work and influence should be equal to the older institutions of similar character in the east. Knox College stands as a monument to the labors of such men and its hundreds of alumni pay tributes of respect and honor to his memory. He was a man of high ideals, broad culture and a teacher of eminent ability. Although retiring in disposition, he was ever genial and amiable, was conscientious in the discharge -; -- of his duties and ever stood as a high type of the Christian gentleman.

To accomplish what one undertakes, to believe that one's capacities and powers are equal to his opportunities, to avail oneself of the advantages near at hand - all these things indicate the innate strength of the individual and are the measure of his success. Prominent among those who have occupied foremost positions in the ranks of Galesburg's business men and who have attained a notable measure of prosperity, at the same time commanding the respect and honor of those with whom they have had dealings, was Charles H. Mathews whp was born in Schenectady, New York, February i, 1823. His parents, John and Letitia (Humphrey) Mathews, were born, reared and married in County Tyrone, Ireland, and after the birth of their first child they came to America, settling at Schenectady, New York, where the father followed merchandising for many years. He died in 1871.

In the common schools of his native city Charles H. Mathews pursued his education, but his father met with financial reverses and the boy began earning his own livelihood by clerking in a store in Schenectady when thirteen years of age. Later he went to New York city where he engaged in business on his own account for several years. He then returned to his native city where he established a l^rge dry-goods business which he conducted successfully until 1856. His interests were constantly broadening in scope and volume, and believing that there were still better opportunities in the middle west he came in 1856 to Galesburg where he engaged in merchandising until 1864. The following year he became identified with the First National Bank of the city but in the autumn of 1865 he returned to Schenectady where he remained, retired from business, until 1874. His Galesburg interests having grown to large proportions he returned here and again entered the dry-goods business from which he finally retired in January, i88i. So wisely, capably and carefully were his interests directed that he amassed a fortune and had become the richest man in Galesburg at the time of his death which occurred on the I2th of March, 1883. Dif- ficulties and obstacles never seemed to cause any great mental disturbance with him ; he seemed to find ,a way out of any dilemma^ such as one continually confronts in a business career and gradually he advanced to a point where his success made him one of the foremost business men in Galesburg. He always followed constructive methods, never taking advantage of the necessities of another, and his straightforward dealing and enterprise gained him not only prosperity but the high regard and honor of his fellow townsmen.

On the i8th of October, 1855, in Amsterdam, New York, Mr. Mathews was married to Miss Eliza Sheldon, a daughter of Alexander Sheldon, for many years a distinguished member of the Albany bar. He married Miss Jackson and died in Amsterdam, New York, in 1860. Mr. and Mrs. Mathews became the parents of five children: Alice, now deceased; Letitia; Charles H., who has also passed away; Mary; and Annie W., who is the wife of J. Grant Beadle of Galesburg.

': Mr. Mathews gave his political allegiance to the republican party but never sought the rewards of office in recognition of party fealty. He died in Galesburg, March 12, 1883, and a life of great activity and usefulness was thus ended. Many years have since come and gone but his memory is cherished by those who knew him and all students of history recognize the part he played in the upbuilding and development of this section. It was a far step from his starting point in a humble clerkship at the age of thirteen years to his later position as a foremost citizen of Galesburg, but the way which he traveled was straight, his purpose unfaltering and his success was the legitimate reward of his enterprise.

That man may be considered fortunate who succeeds in finding a place in the business or educational world, for which he is in all respects thoroughly adapted.

. The above reflection applies with full force to Erastus Swift Willcox, the librarian of the Peoria public library. Mr. Willcox was bom at Port Henry, Essex county, New York, February i6, 1830, a son of Henry and Mary Keziah (Meacham) Willcox. They both belonged to that sturdy, substantial, sensible class, common to New England and New York state. The father was a fanner. He came west as one of the first colonists who settled on the prairie where the city of Galesburg, in Knox county, now stands. His object in settling there was to give his children the benefit of a liberal education in the college which, under the plan of Dr. George W. Gale, was about to be established in Galesburg, now and for a long time known as Knox College.

James Willcox, grandfather of Erastus S. Willcox, was born in Killingworth, Connecticut. His ancestors came from Plymouth, England, about 1640. I" ^773 the grandfather, when about eighteen years of age, removed to Bridgeport, Vermont, where he owned a large farm on the shore of Lake Champlain, residing there until his death in 1840. He was one of the two guides to help Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain boys across the lake at the time of the capture of Fort Ticonderoga in 1775. His remembrance of the language of

Ethan Allen, at the time of his demand for the surrender of the fort, was: "In the name of God I'Mighty and the Continental Congress," etc., instead of the language usually attributed to him.

The great-grandfather on the mother's side was Captain William Meacham, commander of a company in Colonel Woodbridge's regiment. He was killed at the battle of Bunker Hill, June 17, 1775, and his name^ is inscribed on the bronze tablets at Winthrop Square, just below that of General Warren.