Jacob H. Schryver - Jacob H. Schryver, who maintains a shoemaking establishment in Knoxville, has been a resident of Knox County for forty-four years, during which time he has noted its wonderful development along the various lines of human activity. He was born in Sag Harbor, New York, on the 5th of June, 1833, and is the son of George and Nancy (Conant) Schryver, natives of Pennsylvania. The father, who was a farmer in his early manhood, removed with his wife and family from Pennsylvania to the Mohawk Valley, New York, subsequently locating in Sag Harbor, where he remained for many years. From there he went to Ontario, Canada, and engaged in the lumber business, continuing to make his residence in that country until his death. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Schryver consisted of five sons and six daughters, all of whom with the exception of our subject, are now deceased.
The youthful years of Jacob H. Schryver were spent in Sag Harbor, where he received his schooling. When old enough to become self-supporting he followed various occupations until 1865, when he engaged in the shoemaker's trade. From New York he went to Maine, but later went to Massachusetts, and in 1867 he came to what at that period was termed the West, locating in Galesburg. There he established a shop that he successfully conducted for many years. He has always been a skillful and painstaking workmen and as he employed only the best of materials and executing his orders enjoyed a very good patronage. After the death of his wife, Mr. Schryver located in Abingdon for a few years, but has for some time now been making his home in Knoxville. During the period of his residence here he has at all times been found dependable and thoroughly trustworthy in his business obligations and as a result enjoys the respect of all with whom he has had transactions.
In 1855, at the age of twenty-two years, Mr. Schryver was united in marriage to Miss Ellen Myers, who was born and reared in Canada, but passed away in Galesburg in 1891. Her parents were natives of Germany, but in their early life they emigrated to Canada, where the father followed farming during the entire period of his active career. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Schryver there were born four children, two of whom are living: Mary Ellen, the wife of O. T. Martin, of Iowa, and James S., who makes his home in Greeley, Colorado.
In matters of faith Mr. Schryver is an Episcopalian. Although being in his eightieth year Mr. Schryver still leads an active life, and takes an interest in all that is going on about him. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 73-74, submitted by J. Crandell)
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After completing the course of the common schools, Thomas B. Shaffer entered Knox College, where he studied for three years. Having decided to go into the drug business, at the expiration of that period he matriculated in the Chicago College of Pharmacy, and he also studied for a time at Drake University, Highland Park, Des Moines, Iowa. After receiving his degree he was employed for a year in the drug store of Dr. T. E. Alyea at Princeville, Illinois, and resigning his position at the end of that time to take a similar place in a drug store at that place, where he likewise remained a year. Feeling that he was fully qualified both theoretically and practically to undertake the management of a place of his own, in 1902 he came to Oneida and purchased the store of E. L. Jimison. Mr. Shaffer has a very good location, and carries a full and complete line of drugs, patent medicines and such toilet articles and sundries as are usually to be found in establishments of this kind. His business is conducted in a thoroughly up-to-date manner, and, owing to the gracious treatment accorded all patrons as well as the quality of the goods offered for sale, his has become one of the thriving enterprises of the town.
At Grande Ridge, Illinois, by Rev. O. P. Graves, on the 23d of June, 1910, Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Miss Stella A. Peterson, a daughter of Charles A. Peterson. Mr. Shaffer is affiliated with Oneida Lodge, No. 337, F. & A. M.; Oneida Chapter, No. 173, R. A. M. ; Order of the Eastern Star; and the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Galesburg. He maintains relations with the other members of his profession through the medium of his connection with the Association of Retail Druggists; Illinois Pharmaceutical Association; and the Knox County Druggists Association, of which he is the vice president. He is registered in both Illinois and Iowa and is, therefore, entitled to follow his profession in either state. In his political views Mr. Shaffer has always been independent, and he gives his support to the men and measures he deems best qualified to meet the exigencies of the situation, regardless of party affiliation. He is one of the public-spirited and progressive men of the town, who is conducting his business in accordance with the highest principles governing commercial activities and as a result wins and retains the respect of all with whom he has transactions. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 824-825, transcribed by J. Crandell)
Benjamin Franklin Shaffer, who was a little lad of seven when he came with his parents to this county, obtained his early education in a district school and later continued his studies in the Yates City high school. Together with two brothers, he also assisted in the operation of the home farm, thus early becoming familiar with the duties and labors that fall to the lot of the agriculturist. When twenty-two years of age, his father having taken up his abode in Yates City, our subject rented the homestead place and turned his attention to general agricultural pursuits on his own account, devoting considerable time to stock. A great lover of animals he takes keen interest in stock of all kinds and was one of the first to introduce imported Norman horses. While on the farm he met with a serious accident, which crippled him for life and made him unable to walk without crutches for six or eight years. Finding it difficult to carry on the work of the fields thus handicapped, he embarked in the mercantile business at Douglas, Illinois, in 1882, remaining there until 1888, when he removed to Williamsfield, where he conducted the first store and also the post-office. At the end of two years his health had become so impaired that he abandoned mercantile pursuits and traded his store for some Kansas land and Norman horses. Since that time he has resided on his farm adjoining the town of Williamsfield, now making his home with his two youngest children.
On the 5th of November, 1874, Mr. Shaffer was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Lydia Foster, a daughter of Thomas J. and Sarah H. Foster. The first representative of the family in this country was the grandfather of Mrs. Shaffer, a successful farmer and stock dealer, who came to the United States in 1834. Our subject and his wife had seven children, four of whom are yet living. Thomas B., a sketch of whom appears on another page of this work, is a druggist of Oneida. Bertha Aves, whose birth occurred on the 14th of August, 1880, attended Knox College and also received an excellent musical education, teaching that art for a time. On the 23d of June, 1909. she gave her hand in marriage to James A. McHenry, of Coffeyville, Kansas, who acts as cashier for the Missouri Pacific Railroad Company at that place. Ada Elizabeth, whose natal day was May 12, 1884, is a graduate of the Williamsfield high school and followed the profession of teaching for a number of years. William Caldwell, who was born on the 1st of February, 1886, is also a graduate of the Williamsfield high school.
Mr. Shaffer gives his political allegiance to the democracy and for many years has served as school director and commissioner of highways. For six years he acted as democratic chairman of Truro township and during both of President Cleveland's administrations held the office of postmaster, serving during his first term at Douglas, Illinois, and during his second term at Williamsfield. In 1869 he joined the Odd Fellows lodge but later resigned therefrom and in 1888 became identified with the Modern Woodmen of America, of which he is still a member. Since 1898 he has also belonged to the Bankers Life Association. In the county where he has resided from early boyhood, Mr. Shaffer has a circle of friends that is almost coextensive with the circle of his acquaintances. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 830-831, transcribed by J. Crandell)
James A. Shaffer was reared in his native state to the age of fifteen years, attending the public schools in the acquirement of his education. From early boyhood he was trained in agricultural pursuits and naturally when he was ready to begin working for himself chose the vocation to which he was best adapted. In whatever he undertook he would have succeeded, being a man of enterprise and industry and much determination of purpose, he was practical in his ideas, progressive in his methods and always directed his undertakings with foresight and intelligence. At the time of his death he owned between four hundred and fifty and five hundred acres of land in this township, all of which was under high cultivation. A portion of this had been the old family homestead, and during the long period of his occupancy Mr. Shaffer effected many improvements in the property. He made a careful study of the soil, planting his fields to such cereals as he deemed best adapted to it. In connection with general farming he also engaged in stock-raising, both undertakings proving lucrative under his capable supervision. He was only forty-seven years of age when he passed away, and was actively engaged in the operation of his farm, three hundred and twenty acres of which is now being cultivated by his son, Benjamin.
For his wife and helpmate Mr. Shaffer chose Miss Louisa J. Oberholtzer, and they became the parents of six children. Vesper, who is the eldest of the family, graduated from the Women's Medical College of the Northwestern University in Chicago, and is now engaged in the practice of her profession in that city. Joseph O., who is a farmer living in Canada, married Ella Grimm and they have four children: Hortense; Lester, who is deceased; Vesper; and Helen. Benjamin B. who is the second son, is engaged in the operation of the old homestead. He married Mary E. Fitzgerald of Chicago. Celesta married Walter Potts, a farmer of this township, by whom she has had four children: Harold H., who is deceased; Willis J.; and Lester B. and Letta Bell, who are twins. Letta became the wife of Fred M. Brown and they are living on a farm in South Dakota. James A., who is the youngest member of the family, is living at home.
Mr. Shaffer was a public-spirited man and took a deep interest in all township affairs, giving his support to the men and measures of the democratic party. He had high standards of citizenship and always discharged his share of public duties faithfully, having filled various offices of the township. A man of upright principles and unquestionable integrity, loyal to his friends and true to every trust reposed in him, he was held in high esteem by all who knew, him, his death being occasion for deep and widespread regret throughout the community. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 881-882, transcribed by J. Crandell)
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James A. Shaffer, one of Knox County's successful farmers, residing on section 27, Truro Township, began his career as a farmer in the year 1864, on an 80-acre tract of land which he had inherited from his mother; or, in other words, the land had been purchased for him previously with the money he had inherited, and was at the time of purchase valued at $750. This farm included the south one-half of the northwest quarter of section 27, which he has since occupied. The first addition made to it was the north one-half of the same quarter, which he purchased on time. From the very first our subject engaged in the breeding of stock, his favorite being the Short-horn cattle. He also deals extensively in Poland-China hogs and Clydesdale horses. He has added to his acreage from time to time until now he is the possessor of 820 acres of land, all of which is tillable soil.
The gentleman whose name heads this brief personal narrative was born in Clinton County, Pa., April 15, 1841. He was kept steadily at school until he was 13 years of age, when he began work with his father in the lumber regions, felling trees and squaring timber. Our subject was 15 years of age when he came to the Prairie State with his father, arriving here May 20, 1856. Here he again took up his studies, attending the common schools and supplementing the same by attendance at Hedding College, Abingdon. He assisted his father in the farm duties until he had attained his majority, at which time he worked for his father on shares until the year 1864, when he located on his present farm as before stated.
Nov. 22, 1864, the marriage of James Shaffer and Miss Louisa, the accomplished daughter of Joseph and Annie (Tedrow) Oberholtzer, was solemnized. Mrs. Shaffer was born in Wayne County, Ohio, July 15, 1843, and was formerly a teacher in the public schools of Knox County. She received her early education in the public schools and later attended Hedding College, receiving her first certificate when but a girl of 14 years. She graduated at St. Mary's School in June, 1886.
The happy union of Mr. and Mrs. Shaffer has been blessed by the birth of seven bright children, whose names are as follows: Vesper, Joseph O., Benjamin B., Annie [not mentioned in the above biography of James Shaffer], Celestia, Rosaletta, and James A.
Mr. S. is a Greenbacker, and is a stockholder in a co-operative store at Yates City, and Director in the company. He has always evinced great interest in educational matters, and has served in the capacity of School Director in his district. He has also represented his township on the Board of Supervisors.
Our subject and wife are highly esteemed by all who enjoy their acquaintance and friendship, and Mrs. Shaffer is a woman gifted with extraordinary business ability. They are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 346, submitted by Janine Crandell)
Wesley Shrieves - Wesley Shrieves, farmer, son of Benjamin and
Elizabeth Shrieves, the
(History of Knox County, Illinois
Hon. Henry McCall Sisson. During the years of his residence in Knox county Hon. Henry McCall Sisson was well known as an educator, farmer, breeder of fine stock and later as a retired citizen whose activity in former years well merited rest and prosperity which crowned the evening of his life. He was also prominent in public affairs and although many positions of trust and responsibility were accorded him, he never betrayed this trust in the slightest degree. He was born in Clinton, New York, September 29, 1829, and his parents, Pardon and Abba (McCall) Sisson, were both natives of New England. They were married September 30, 1827, in Lebanon, Connecticut, and afterward removed to Oneida county, New York, where they resided for fifteen years prior to their arrival in Galesburg in 1842. The ancestral line on the maternal side has been traced back through thirty-seven generations to Egbert, who became king in the year 802 A. D., and was styled Rex Anglorum, or the King of the English. One of the greatgrandfathers of Henry McCall Sisson was Captain Veach Williams, a man of considerable prominence in his day, who was born in Lebanon, Connecticut, April 23, 1727. He came of the same family as Ephraim Williams, the founder of Williams College, and of William Williams, who was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence and speaker of the colonial congress.
Henry M. Sisson enjoyed the educational advantages offered by his native town and made wise use of his time and talents. He was a lad of thirteen years when the family came to Galesburg and after continuing his studies for a time in the district schools here he entered Knox Academy in the fall of 1843. He became very proficient in Latin and in mathematics was a particularly apt pupil. When only sixteen years of age he had made such advancement that he was chosen as teacher in the public schools, his broad intelligence well qualifying him for the position. For thirteen years he remained a resident of Galesburg but in 1855 removed to his farm in Henderson township and during the greater part of his life was connected with general agricultural pursuits.
In addition to tilling the fields Mr. Sisson engaged quite extensively in the raising of fine stock in which he was very successful. He was also an excellent judge of stock, his opinions being accepted as authority upon their value. His business affairs were most capably managed and the energy and industry, sound judgment and sagacity which he displayed constituted effective forces in winning for him the success which crowned his labors.
Mr. Sisson not only won for himself a creditable position in business circles but also enjoyed the confidence of his fellowmen in a large degree and by them was called to fill many positions of public trust. He was elected supervisor of Henderson township in 1869 and was again called to that office in 1876, at which time he remained in the position for three years. Again in 1885 he was chosen supervisor and served altogether for eleven years. After establishing his home in Galesburg he was elected to the office and continued therein for several terms. He was likewise school trustee, road commissioner and in other connections proved his loyalty to the best interests of the community. Moreover he was identified with many organizations for the advancement of progress along agricultural and other lines. He was a member of the farmers congress at the World's Columbian Exposition at Chicago and was a delegate to the farmers national convention held in Fort Worth, Texas, in 1898. He was president of the National Poland China Swine Association and for ten years was president of the American Poland China Record Company. He was president of the Knox County Farmers Institute and his labors constituted a potent force in advancing agricultural interests in this part of the state and in stimulating progress throughout the country. He held to the highest possible standards and believed that everything should be done for the improvement of conditions and methods.
On the 25th of December, 1860, Mr. Sisson was united in marriage to Miss Eliza Jane Miller, a daughter of John and Jane A. (Crane) Miller, who were residents of Chicago. In fact her father was one of the honored pioneers of that city, having served as one of the first trustees when Chicago was a village. The family have a facsimile of the resolutions adopted at that meeting. Mr. Miller had previously been engaged in business in La Porte, Indiana, and removed thence to Chicago where he acted as overseer in the building of houses. He made his home there from 1845 until three years before his death, which occurred in 1858, in Galesburg, Illinois. In the family of Mr. and Mrs. Sisson are six children, as follows: Mrs. W. H. Cooper, of Denver, Colorado; Mrs. William J. Pringle, of Chicago; Mrs. A. H. Stephens, residing in New York city; Mrs. E. P. Robson, of Wataga, Illinois; and Mrs. E. R. Everett and Miss Anna Sisson, of Galesburg.
Mr. Sisson was ever a great reader and kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day and on all the topics of general interest. He was familiar with the history of his country and its politics and also thoroughly informed concerning the history of Illinois. At the time of his death he was the president of the Old Settlers Association of Knox county and not only was a witness of the important events which have here occurred but was an active participant in many. He long attended the Presbyterian church and possessed a nature free from dishonesty and equally free from ostentation and display. He was a lover of home and friends and it would be difficult to find one who had more warm friends in Knox county than Henry M. Sisson. His death occurred on the 29th of May, 1905. His life had been a useful one, well spent and fruitful of good results. He not only made continuous advancement himself but stimulated and inspired the progress of others and was particularly well known throughout the country in connection with stock-raising interests. No history of Knox county would be complete without a record of his life which constitutes a creditable chapter in the annals of this section. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 93-95, submitted by J. Crandell)
Anthony Seward, a prominent farmer residing on section 16, Truro Township, is the eldest son of Samuel S. and Sarah (Caldwell) Seward. His father, Samuel Seward, is a native of York State and was born in Brown County in 1826. Samuel Seward was a son of Orin and Mehitable (Livermore) Seward, pioneers of Knox County, where they settled at an early day.
Samuel S. Seward, father of our subject, was but a child when he accompanied his parents to Knox County, where he attended the pioneer schools and assisted his father in the duties of the farm. Mrs. Seward was a native of Pennsylvania, and was a daughter of John T. and Mary (Porter) Caldwell. After marriage Mr. S. located upon section 15, Truro Township, upon which he resided for a few years, when he disposed of his farm and rented land for a short period and then bought a tract located on section 16, upon which he is at present residing. He enclosed and improved his land and erected thereon a desirable set of frame buildings. In 1882 he left his son in charge of the farm and removed to Cedar County, Mo., where he purchased a farm and is now residing. The senior Mr. and Mrs. Seward are the parents of six children—Anthony (our subject), John M., William H., Sarah (wife of J. Fulkerson, who resides in Cedar County, Mo.), Albert and Marion.
Anthony Seward was born in Truro Township, Oct.
12, 1848. In his younger days he attended the district
schools and assisted in the farm work. He remained under the parental roof until
his marriage, March 27, 1867, at which time Miss Margaret Daniels became his
wife. Miss Daniels was born in Richland County, Ohio.
After marriage our subject located on his father's farm and engaged in the
honorable calling of an agriculturist ; since 1882 he has managed the farm
alone. Four children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. S.—Chloe, Ellen Viola,
Lucius and Mary E. In politics, Mr. Seward adheres to the principles of the
Greenback party.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County,
Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 323, submitted by Janine Crandell)
James
C. Simpson.
There have been many theories advanced concerning
success, but careful analysis of the lives of many men, who have risen from
comparative obscurity in business to a position of prominence, indicates the
fact that all honorable success has had its root in straightforward dealing,
indefatigable industry and persistent purpose. Such has been the record of the
senior partner and manager of the firm of James C. Simpson & Company, operating
country lumberyards, and president of the Simpson, McClure Lumber Company of
Galesburg.
James C. Simpson was born in
Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, April 13, 1864, and his parents, William E. and
Sarah Ann (Means) Simpson, were also natives of that state. The former was a son
of John H. and Eliza (Lewis) Simpson. John H. Simpson, born in Virginia, was a
farmer by occupation. His family included William, Jane, Ann, David, Thomas,
Irwin, Caroline, Theodosia and Harry. Of these David and Thomas were killed
while serving as soldiers in the Union army. The maternal grandfather of James
C. Simpson was Edward Means, a native of Pennsylvania, who engaged in both
merchandising and farming. He married a Miss Hopkins, who died at a
comparatively early age, while, Mr. Means lived to the age of seventy-seven
years. Their children were Sarah Ann, Jane, Dr. William A. Means, the Rev.
Theodore Means, Mary, Charlotte, Thompson, Milton and Thomas. The last two died
while serving in the Union army during the Civil war.
William E. Simpson, father of
James C. Simpson, was reared in Jefferson county, Pennsylvania, pursued his
education there and became a public-school teacher and farmer. He served as a
soldier in the Civil war for one year, acting as assistant to the surgeon and
doing duty on a federal hospital boat on the James river. He passed away at
Punxsutawney in 1906, at the age of sixty-five years. His first wife, Sarah Ann
Means, had died in 1873, at the age of thirty years. Both were members of the
Presbyterian church and were consistent Christian people. For his second wife
William E. Simpson married Miss Anna North. There were six children born of the
first marriage, of whom three are now living: James C.; Mrs. Etta Farrand, of
Chicago; and Wade M., of Galesburg. Frank, Clayton, and Ida died at an early
age. The children of the second marriage were also six in number: Blanche, the
wife of Lex N. Mitchell, of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania; Burt, living in Kewanee,
Missouri; Blaine, a resident of Oregon; Mrs. Catharine Lindsay, of Portland,
Oregon; Vere, living in Punxsutawney; and Raymond, whose home is in
Lawrenceville, Illinois.
The youthful days of James C.
Simpson were spent on a farm in the vicinity of Punxsutawney. He attended the
district school, while later he became a student of the Covode (Pa.) Academy and
in J. C. Duncan's Business College of Davenport, Iowa. He came to the middle
west in 1884, making his headquarters first at Albany, Illinois. He had
previously engaged in teaching through three winter terms in the country schools
of his native state, and also followed that profession for three terms in
Whiteside county, Illinois. During the first five years of his residence in this
state he was also employed during the summer months as a clerk on a Mississippi
river steamboat, and later as a traveling salesman for a wholesale lumber house,
which he represented for six years. In the winter of 1894 he became a resident
of Galesburg, where he has since made his home. Unfaltering industry and careful
expenditure enabled him here to embark in business on his own account. He
purchased the lumberyard owned by O. Hawkinson & Company and conducted the
business under the name of J. C. Simpson & Company. This yard was afterward
incorporated under the name of the Simpson, McClure Lumber Company. During the
seventeen years of his residence in Galesburg he has made for himself a
creditable position in its business circles. Promptness, reliability and
persistency of purpose have been the factors employed in the attainment of
success and have gained for him an enviable position among Galesburg's leading
citizens.
On the 17th of February,
1897, Mr. Simpson was united in marriage to Miss Harriette H. Post, a daughter
of General Philip Sidney and Cornelia A. (Post) Post, natives of New York. Mrs.
Simpson's father served in the Civil war and was afterward made consul at
Vienna. Subsequently he served as congressman, from 1887 until his death in
January, 1895. His wife passed away in 1908. They were the parents of three
children, Harriette H., Philip S., and William S. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have five
children, Sidney, Cornelia, William, Harriet and Mary. The family reside at No.
516 North Prairie street and theirs is one of the hospitable homes of the city.
In his political views Mr. Simpson is a republican and, while never seeking nor
desiring office, has always kept well informed on the general issues and
questions of the day. He holds membership in the Galesburg and Elk Clubs and of
the former is a director. He is also one of the trustees of Galesburg Hospital
and the present chairman of its board. In all his life, duty and honor have been
his watchwords and justice has been one of his strong characteristics. In his
business career he is prominent as a man whose constantly expanding powers have
taken him from humble surroundings to the field of large enterprise and
continually broadening opportunities.
(History of Knox County,
Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 175-177, submitted by J. Crandell)
George W. Simkins. Among the respected citizens and well-to-do farmers of
this county, who have made what they have of this worlds goods, not having
been the recipient of any legacy, is the subject of this biographical
notice. The parents of Mr. Simkins were Horatio and Mary (Rice) Simkins,
natives of Pennsylvania. In that state the parents were married and lived
until 1836, when they came to this county and settled on Spoon River, three
miles east of Maquon village, and there the father followed farming for a
number of years, and then removed to Salem Township, where the demise of
both parents occurred. They had 11 children, who grew to the age of man and
womanhood, and whose names are Margaret, Noah, Rachel, John, Hiram,
William, Elizabeth, George W., Horatio, Jesse, and Anna M.
George W. Simkins was born in Pennsylvania, Dec. 17, 1831, and was about
five years of age when his parents emigrated to this county, where he has
lived ever since, with the exception of one year spent in Iowa, and one
year in Ford County, in this State. He is engaged in agriculture, in which
he has met with far more than ordinary success. He is at the present
writing the proprietor of 317 acres of ground, the major portion of which
is in good tillable condition.
Mr. Simkins was married in Haw Creek Township, April 7, 1849, to Mary
McCoy, daughter of David and Anna (Donaldson) McCoy. Her parents came to
this county in the spring of 1806(sic) and made settlement in Maquon
Township. They afterward removed to Haw Creek Township, and thence to Iowa,
where the father died. The mother returned to this county and died in
Maquon village. Of their union 11 children were born-Richard, Allen,
Margaret, Andrew, Mary, Francis, Lewis, David, Marion, and Betsy, and one
who died in infancy. Mrs. Simkins was born in Virginia, May 22, 1824, and
is the mother of four children-Andrew, Anna, Nathan, and William H. Andrew
married Lydia Theil, and is a farmer in Maquon Township; they have six
children-George W., Frederick, Clara, Henry, Lovina, and Gertie; Anna
married David Barom (sic Barbero), and resides in Chestnut Township; they
have two children-Nathan and Frederick; Nathan Married Mary J. Winchell, by
whom he has three children-Susan, Blanche and Charlie C.; William H.
Simkins married Jessie Simpson, and is a resident of Chestnut Township, and
they have one child-Clarence.
Mr. George W. Simpkins has been School Director in his township, and in
politics votes with the Democratic party. (Portrait & Biographical Album
of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 508, submitted by Todd Walter)
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GEORGE W. SIMKINS; Farmer; Maquon Township; born in Pennsylvania, December
17, 1832. His parents Horatio and Mary (Rice) Simkins, and his
grandparents, Ananias and Rachel Simkins, came from Pennsylvania. He was
married in Haw Creek Township to Mary, the daughter of David McCoy, an old
settler in Haw Creek Township. Their children are; Andrew; Anne, the wife
of David Barbero; Nathan; and Henry. His second marriage, July 31, 1886,
was with Mrs. Elizabeth (Moore) Pumyea, the daughter of Andrew and Margaret
(Steinbrook) Moore. Mrs Simkins has two children by her former marriage,
William Allen and Edith Pumyea. Mr. Simkins was born on a farm, and has
always been a farmer. After his marriage he rented a farm for two years,
one-half mile east of Maquon; he then rented a farm of his father two miles
farther east; he then lived for five years three miles north-west of
Maquon, after which he moved to Decatur County, Iowa, where he remained one
year and returned in 1859. He afterwards farmed five years in Elba
Township, and fourteen years four miles west of Maquon. He then removed to
Section 21, where he has one hundred and fifty-seven acres of finely
improved land; he also has one hundred and sixty acres on Section 15, and
four town lots. Mr. Simkins is a democrat. He has been a member of the
Grange for five years. (1899 History of Illinois and Knox County, submitted by
Todd Walter)
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