Biographies Ao-Az

Biographies Ao-Az

Cyrus Minor Avery - In the city of Galesburg, where many years of his life were passed, Cyrus Minor Avery was widely known and his many attractive social qualities and admirable characteristics gained for him the friendship and kindly regard of all with whom he came into contact. He was one of Galesburg native sons, his birth having here occurred on the 19th of June, 1846, when the city was but a small town and outlying districts of the state were largely undeveloped and unimproved. His parents were George and Saraphena Princess Mary (Phelps) Avery, both natives of the state of New York. The father was born in New Lebanon and was a representative in the seventh generation of a family that traces its ancestry back to Christopher Avery, the line coming down through James, Thomas, Abraham, Nathan and William Thomas to George. As a young man the last named came to the west, arriving in Galesburg in 1837. Here he built the second house in what was then known as Log City. Later the place of his abode now on West Main Street came to be called the Avery farm. There he followed general agricultural pursuits at a time when the most forsighted could not have dreamed that his place would one day be near the very heart of the enterprising city. The lady whom he afterward made his wife came to the west with her brother and mother, settling in Knoxville, where they were married. For many years Mr. Avery continued to engage in general farming but at length retired and took up his abode within the limits of Galesburg, living on North Cherry street. There the fruits of his former toil supplied him with the necessities and comforts of life up to the time of his death, which occurred on the 1st of January, 1884. His wife also died at the Cherry Street home. They were members of the First Congregational Church, in the work of which they took active and helpful part, Mr. Avery serving as deacon for many years. His political endorsement was given to the republican party. In the family were six children: Robert H., who died September 13, 1892; Mary, the wife of W. R. Butcher, living at Roodhouse, Illinois; John T., who died August 11, 1905, at Galesburg; Cyrus M.; Phoebe T. , who is living in Biloxi, Mississippi; and George, also of Biloxi.

Cyrus M. Avery was educated in the public schools of Galesburg and in Knox College, where he completed his course with the class of 1868. He worked with his father on the farm for a time and was early trained to habits of industry and diligence. He afterward engaged in the manufacturing business and made for himself a credible position in trade circles in his native city. Early in the '70s he joined his brother, Robert Hanneman Avery, in the establishment of a plant for the manufacture of agricultural implements in Galesburg. The brother had been a soldier in the Civil War, was captured and was held as a prisoner at Andersonville, where he spent many otherwise idle hours in drawing in the sand of the prison yard designs of agricultural implements which he began to make soon after his release, the first being a stalk cutter and a corn planter. When the plans of the brothers were perfected for the conduct of an agricultural implement manufactory, they began business under the style of R. H. & C. M. Avery, operating their plant at Galesburg until 1882, when they went to Peoria and made arrangements for removing their factory to the latter city. There the enterprise was developed into a very large corporation known as the Avery Company. In 1883, after the removal of the business to Peoria, the Avery Planter Company was organized with a capital of two hundred thousand dollars. Ten years later the authorized capital was increased to three hundred thousand dollars, and in 1900 the name was changed to the Avery Manufacturing Company and, at which time the capital stock was increased to one million dollars. The business continued to grow and is now capitalized for two million, five hundred thousand dollars. The plant is one of the most extensive and prominent productive industries of Peoria, with business connections that reach out to all parts of the world. C. M. Avery continued active in the management and control of the interests at Peoria until 1902, when he returned to his native city and erected here a large, comfortable and attractive modern residence. The remainder of his life was divided between the two cities of Galesburg and Peoria, although he regarded the former as his home.

It was here on the 4th of October, 1877, that Mr. Avery was united in marriage to Miss Minnie Evalena Bartholomew, who was born at Elmwood, Illinois, February 25, 1856, and is a daughter of Luzerne and Sarah Elvira (Payne) Bartholomew. They became the parents of five children: Elvira Princess, born September 25, 1878; George Luzerne, September 12, 1879; Grace Ophelia, October 8, 1883; Harriette, June 20, 1886; and Cyrus Minor, May 29, 1899. The first two were born in Galesburg, the last three in Peoria. George Luzerne Avery is still connected with the Avery Company as its secretary. The enterprise is now a business of mammoth proportions and includes the manufacture of agricultural implements, farm wagons, engines, threshers, engine gang plows, gas tractors and city and farm trucks. While the factory and main office are at Peoria, branch houses are maintained at Omaha, Nebraska; Des Moines, Iowa; Minneapolis, Minnesota; Fargo, North Dakota; Billings, Montana; Kansas City, Missouri; Indianapolis, Indiana; St. Louis, Missouri; Grand Forks, North Dakota; Sioux Falls, South Dakota and Aberdeen, South Dakota.

The family circle was broken by death, when on the 15th of September, 1905, in Galesburg, Cyrus M. Avery passed away. His life record has been a credit and honor to the city which has ever honored and respected him. His business career was notable by reason of its successful achievement and the extent of the concern which was developed through the enterprise and under the able direction of himself and brother. He seemed to possess a faculty for devising and executing the right thing at the right time and this was joined to every day common sense. He seemed easily to discriminate between the essential and the non-essential, to see the possibility for the coordination of forces and to use each opportunity to the best advantage. Method and system were ever features of the business, together with the employment of skill and expert workmen. In matters of judgment Mr. Avery was seldom if ever at fault and what he accomplished represented the fit utilization of the innate powers and talents which were his. As prosperity came to him he continually reached out a helping hand to those less fortunate and his benevolence was manifest in generous support of many worthy public projects and charities. Something of his position in the city of his birth is indicated in the fact that at his demise the Year Book of Knox College for 1907 bore the following inscription:

"To the memory of Cyrus Minor Avery,

Honored alumnus, valued trustee, successful

business man, upright and influential citizen;

whose singular nobility of character, loyal

friendship and warm hearted, open-handed generosity,

his Alma Mater holds in grateful and loving esteem,

This book is dedicated. "

This pictured forth the feeling entertained for him not only in Galesburg, and in Peoria, but wherever he was known and no higher testimonial of his character could be given than the fact that he was most honored where best known. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 30-34, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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Sheldon C. Ayres - Among the few soldier boys of '61 still regularly engaged in the discharge of active duties must be mentioned Sheldon C. Ayres, who for forty-two years has been running out of Galesburg as a passenger conductor on the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad. His birth occurred at Andover, Henry county, Illinois, on the 5th of July, 1843, his parents being John A. and Mary B. (Washburn) Ayres. The father was a native of Connecticut and the mother of Maine, but they were married in Andover. John A. Ayres was reared and educated in his native state and there he also received his agricultural training. In 1835 he came to Illinois, settling on a farm in Henry county that he industriously cultivated for twenty-two years. In 1857 he withdrew from the work of the fields and went to Galva where he engaged in business for four years. He disposed of this in 1861, removing to a farm three miles west of Kewanee and there resided for twelve years. At the expiration of that time he sold his property and together with his wife removed to David City, Nebraska. He invested his money in lands in that vicinity but lived in the town, continuing to make that his home, as did also the mother, until death. He was a deacon in the Baptist church, in which they both held membership, and in politics he was a republican, but never held any office save that of school director. Nine children were born unto Mr. and Mrs. Ayres, as follows: Charlotte B., who is deceased; Sheldon C., our subject; William, who is also deceased; John, who is living in Nebraska; James, of Greenleaf, Kansas; Elizabeth, who is deceased; Edwin, a resident of Fairbury, Nebraska; Frank, who lives at David City, Nebraska; and Clifford, who is deceased.

The early years in the life of Sheldon C. Ayres were in no way unusual, but very similar in every respect to those of other lads of that period who were reared in the more sparsely settled communities. When old enough to begin his education he entered the public schools of Andover, completing his course in those of Galva. Thrilled with the patriotism that dominated so many of the youths at that time, when the call came for soldiers in the early days of the war he responded by enlisting as a private in Company D, Seventeenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry. He remained at the front for three years and one month, participating during that time in many of the most notable conflicts of the Rebellion. Among the battles in which he was engaged mention should be made of Frederickstown, Fort Donelson, Shiloh, both sieges of Corinth, Iuka, Holly Springs, Old River near Lake Providence, Clinton, Mississippi, Jackson, Meridian, Canton, Yazoo City, and the siege and capture of Vicksburg. He was discharged at Springfield, and immediately resumed the duties of civil life as a farmer, following this occupation until he attained his majority. Subsequently he joined an engineer corps that was surveying for the American Central from Galva to New Boston, and in 1866 he entered the employ of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company in the capacity of a freight brakeman. He was later promoted to the position of conductor and on the 21st of April, 1869, he was assigned a passenger train. For many years he has been passenger conductor on the Galesburg and Quincy division, and is well and favorably known to all of the company's employees on this section.

Atkinson, Henry county, Illinois, was the scene of the marriage of Mr. Ayres to Miss Ellen E. Nichols, a daughter of Ziba and Mathilda (Smith) Nichols, the event being celebrated on the 2d of September, 1869. Three daughters were born to them: Nellie, Elizabeth and Mary, all of whom are now deceased.

Fraternally Mr. Ayres is a Mason, having joined the order at Kewanee in 1865, where he took the degrees of the blue lodge, and in 1867 he affiliated with the commandery at Galesburg. He is a member of the Order of Railway Conductors, and both he and Mrs. Ayres belong to the Presbyterian church. His allegiance in political matters is accorded to the republican party, but he has never sought public honors, although he takes an active interest in all municipal questions and always goes to the poles on election day. On November 9, 1900, Mr. Ayres was appointed by Governor John R. Tanner of Illinois, one of the commissioners to ascertain and mark the position of the Illinois troops in the battle of Shiloh. Mr. Ayres is one of those who can be depended upon to meet the requirements of citizenship by giving his services and cooperation whenever needed, his efforts being characterized by the same fortitude and endurance as well as determination of purpose that distinguished him on the battlefields of the south. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 80-83, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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Wilfred Arnold. Wilfred Arnold, lawyer and legislator, who as a member of the firm of Arnold & Arnold, is practicing in the courts of Illinois, makes his home in Galesburg, his native city, where he was born June 24, 1871. His parents were Benjamin F. and Ella (Ferris) Arnold, natives of New York, of whom mention is made elsewhere in this volume.
     Wilfred Arnold spent his youthful days in this city and in the acquirement of his education attended the public schools until graduated from the high school with the class of 1889. He afterward entered Knox College, therein completing his course in 1894. His law studies were pursued at Harvard and after two years' preparation he was admitted to the bar, on the 19th of November, 1896, and opened an office in Galesburg, where he has since followed his profession, practicing now as a member of the firm of Arnold & Arnold.
     On the 18th of October, 1899, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Nina May Lahann, who was born in Monmouth, Illinois, a daughter of Riemer and Katherine (Fongart) Lahann, who were natives of Germany, but now reside in Galesburg. Of their three children but two are living: Ida, now the wife of Fred Hayden, of Warren county, Illinois; and Nina May, who became Mrs. Arnold and is the mother of one child, Katherine. Mr. Arnold is a member of the Central Congregational church and his wife holds membership in the Episcopal church. He belongs also to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and gives his political support to the republican party. He has been somewhat prominent in political circles and has twice been called to represent his district in the state legislature, serving in the forty-third and forty-fourth general assemblies. While undoubtedly not without that honorable ambition which is so powerful and useful as an incentive to activity in public affairs, he regards the pursuits of private life as being in themselves abundantly worthy of his best efforts. He has never regarded a public office as a personal asset and in discharging his duties has ever subordinated personal ambition to public good. His energies, however, have been chiefly concentrated upon his professional duties. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 147-148, submitted by Janine Crandell)
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Henry F. Arnold. Henry F. Arnold, engaged in the general insurance business, with offices in the Commercial block, has always been a resident of Galesburg and is, therefore, well known to its citizens. His parents were Benjamin F. and Ella (Ferris) Arnold, who are mentioned at length elsewhere in this work. The son spent his youthful days in his native city and at the usual age entered the public schools, mastering the different branches of learning that constitute the curriculum until graduated from the high school with the class of 1885. He then entered the classic walls of old Knox�a college that has never lowered its standards through all the years of its existence�and was graduated therefrom in 1890. The initial year of his business experience was spent in the general offices of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad at Galesburg and for five years thereafter he was connected with the Galesburg Electric Motor & Power Company as secretary and treasurer. Since 1897 he has been engaged in the insurance business and fourteen years' identification with this line stands as incontrovertible proof of the fact that success must have attended his efforts in this field, while careful analyzation of his career indicates that close application and indefatigable energy have been the salient features in his progress.
     On the 27th of April, 1893, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Anna Ward, of Springfield, a daughter of Henry and Pauline (Roth) Ward. Her father came from Ohio, while her mother was at one time a resident of Camp Point, Illinois. The latter died in Galesburg, April 6, 1908, at the age of fifty-nine years, while Mr. Ward had departed this life in Ohio many years before. Following his demise his widow became the wife of C. J. Owen, of Camp Point, and he, too, is now deceased. She was a daughter of John and Pauline (Schell) Roth, who were early settlers of Camp Point, where they reared their family of four children, Theodore, John, Pauline and Anna, the last named the wife of E. A. Rhea. Mr. and Mrs. Arnold have become the parents of a daughter and son, Esther Pauline and Henry Ferris, Jr. The parents hold membership in the Central Congregational church and are allied with many movements that contribute to the material, intellectual, social and moral welfare of the community. His political views accord with the principles of the republican party and as city assessor for three years he proved himself a capable official, individual interests being at all times made subservient to the general good. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 154-155, submitted by Janine Crandell)
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Benjamin F. Arnold. During more than a half century Benjamin F. Arnold has figured conspicuously in the public life of Galesburg and Knox county, as a lawyer, a real-estate dealer and an agriculturist, and as a citizen whose interest in public affairs has prompted active and helpful cooperation in many measures for the general good. If a pen picture could accurately delineate his life such might be given in these words: A progressive spirit ruled by more than ordinary intelligence and good judgment; a deep earnestness impelled and fostered by indomitable perseverance; and a native justice expressing itself in correct principle and practice. He was was a native of Greene county, New York, and a son of the Rev. Horace Arnold, Sr., who was a soldier of the Revolutionary war. He became a minister of the Baptist church and, removing with his wife to Cairo, Dutchess county, New York, they there spent their remaining days, passing away at an advanced age. Their family numbered four or five sons, including Horace Arnold, who was reared in the Empire state and served his country as a soldier of the war of 1812. In early life he learned and followed the mason's trade. From Greene county he removed to Otsego county, New York, about 1817, and later became a resident of Delaware county, that state, where he resided for some time and there died in 1850, at the age of fifty-two years. In early manhood he had wedded Harriet Hine, who was born in Greene county, New York, and after his death came to Galesburg, to live with her son Benjamin F., with whom she remained for thirty years, passing away at the age of ninety-three years. She was of the Methodist faith, while her husband held to the Universalist faith. In their family were fifteen children, fourteen of whom reached years of maturity : Mortimer; Noble; Mrs. Hannah Wilbur; Martha, who became the wife of Ichabod Wilbur; Seymour; Elijah; Edward; George; Benjamin F.; Elida; Harriet, who married Hiram C. Smith; William; Julia, who also married; and Mary. The other member of the family died in early life.
Benjamin F. Arnold spent the greater part of his youthful days upon a farm in Delaware county, New York, pursuing his education in one of the old-time log schoolhouses, where the curriculum was limited, yet thorough instruction was given in the fundamental studies. Later he became a clerk in a hotel, following that pursuit in the winter months, while the summer seasons were devoted to agricultural pursuits. At length he came west to Galesburg in 1856 and has since made his home here, covering a period of fifty-five years. The first salary which he ever earned here was fifty cents per day. In the winter he took up the profession of teaching but later turned his attention to the real-estate business and while thus engaged began studying law in Galesburg under the direction of Judge Smith and E. P. Williams. In May, 1862, he was admitted to the bar and for about fifteen years continued in the practice of law, being associated for half of the time with Judge Douglass and during the remainder with Judge Kitchell. His business often took him to Springfield, where he made the office of Abraham Lincoln his headquarters. This was in 1857 and 1858. In 1860 he attended the democratic national convention at Baltimore. It was in that convention that he heard Ben Butler's famous speech. Mr. Arnold had been reared in the democratic faith but after spending some time in Missouri and Kansas and being a witness of the conditions that there existed he joined the ranks of the new republican party and has never faltered in his allegiance thereto since that time. Moreover, he has ever kept well informed on the questions and issues of the day, supporting his position by intelligent and comprehensive argument. For over a half century he has also been engaged in the real-estate business and his operations in that field have been unusually profitable, contributing at the same time to the welfare and progress of the community. He has laid out twelve additions to the city of Galesburg and has erected over two hundred houses, selling them on monthly payments. He has also carried on farming on an extensive scale, cultivating not less than a section of land for over forty years. In the summer of 1857 he purchased a quarter section of land and throughout that summer engaged in breaking prairie. This was the beginning of his connection with farming interests, with which he has since been identified, and the rich soil of the Prairie state has amply rewarded his efforts in this direction.
On the 26th of May, 1864, Mr. Arnold was married to Miss Ella Ferris, a daughter of Henry and Elizabeth (Hudson) Ferris. Mrs. Arnold was born in Galesburg, while her parents were natives of New York, the birth of her father having occurred north of Utica, where her grandfather had settled at an early day. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ferris were early settlers of Galesburg, the former spending his first year in Knox county in a dugout. He was, indeed, one of the earliest settlers here and his labors constituted an element in the growth and progress of the community. His father, Sylvanus H. Ferris, was one of the first residents of Galesburg, sent out here to locate Knox College. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Henry Ferris there were born five children who reached adult age: Alfred, who was supposed to have been murdered by the Mormons when on his way to California; Harriet; Ella, who became Mrs. Arnold; Timothy; and Lilly C., the wife of Congressman Prince, of Galesburg. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Arnold there were born nine children, Ella May, the eldest, became the wife of Edwin M. Williams but both are now deceased. They had two children, Dorothy and Edwin. Laura, the second daughter, is the wife of George A. Felt, of Galesburg, and they have two children, Eleanor and Rebecca. Henry, who is engaged in the insurance business in Galesburg, married Anna Ward, of Springfield, and has two children, Esther Pauline and Henry Ferris. Wilfred, a lawyer of Galesburg, wedded Nina Lahann, of Monmouth, Illinois, and has one daughter, Katherine. Frances is the wife of Frederick C. Wood, of Galesburg. Louis E., a dentist of Salt Lake City, Utah, wedded Marie Raymond, and they have one son, Raymond. Ray M. is a lawyer and also owns large tracts of land in this vicinity. Elizabeth H. is the wife of Dr. Charles H. Lowman, of Los Angeles, California, and Harriet is at home. The mother is a member of the Congregational church and Mr. Arnold is prominent in Masonry, holding membership in Vesper Lodge, A. F. & A. M., Galesburg Chapter, R. A. M., and Galesburg Commandery, K. T. Mr. Arnold has lived in the same house for forty-seven years, his home being at No. 759 East Main street. From time to time, however, he has added improvements to his place, ever keeping it one of the attractive and modern residences of the city. In public affairs he has ever been deeply and helpfully interested and his name has become inseparably interwoven with the history of this city. For fifteen successive years he served as a member of the city council, ever exercising his official prerogatives in support of measures for the general good. For one term he served as mayor of Galesburg and he has assisted in the execution of many public commissions. He was on the building committee for the erection of the Central Congregational church, also for the public library, the Brown Hotel, the Union Hotel, the Commercial block and the gymnasium of Knox College. For many years he has been one of the trustees of Knox College and at all times has been a friend and champion of education. Such in brief is the life history of Benjamin F. Arnold, who though he has now passed the age of seventy-eight years is still in a considerable measure an active factor in the business life and interests of his adopted county. His intellect early grasped the eternal truth that industry wins and industry became the beacon light of his life. He realized, too, the fact that opportunities slip away from the sluggard and tauntingly play before the dreamer but that they surrender to the individual with high purpose, undaunted courage and indefatigable determination. He has, therefore, employed those qualities in every relation of life and has today "the blessed accompaniments of age�honor, riches, troops of friends." (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 160-163, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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Isaac Q. Armstrong, a farmer, residing on section 18, Knox township, is the subject of this biographical sketch, and is noteworthy as being a substantial citizen, and successful in his chosen field of labor. His farm is in a good state of cultivation, highly improved and supplied with a first-class set of farm buildings, furnished with all modern conveniences. The farm is well stocked with blooded animals, and nothing is lacking to complete and perfect his possessions. Mr. Armstrong was born in Adams County, Pennsylvania, 21 June 1831, and his father, Isaac Armstrong, Sr., was also born in Adams county, 6 April 1797. The grandfather of our subject also bore the Christian name of Isaac, and was a resident of the same county as the son and grandson at the time of his death. He was born of English pregenitors, but was of American adoption.
     The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native county, and was married there to Miss Mary Campbell. She was born in Adams county in 1808, and was of Scotch-Irish ancestry. In 1835 he removed to Franklin county, Pennsylvania and there rented land. He lived there 19 years, and in 1854, accompanied by his wife and eight children, emigrated to Illinois. They started on the 4th day of May with horses, covered wagons and a rockaway carriage, and drove overland to their destination. They landed in Knoxville, June 12, where the father rented a house for his family in the village, and started out to find a suitable and permanent location. He purchased 307 acres on section 18, Knox Township. There was a log house and stable on it, and the land was partly under cultivation; the family lived in the cabin for a few years, then erected a frame house and added other improvements. He died on this place in June 1878, and his wife in May, 1879.
     Eight children were born to Isaac Armstrong; Alexander lives in Nemaha county, Nebraska; Isaac, of whom we write; James, who lives in Knox Township; Agnes, whose home is in Orange Township; Jane, wife of D. H. Stewart, lives in Jefferson county, Iowa; Rebecca, wife of Wilson Wood, lives in Cheyenne, Wyoming territory; Thomas resides on the old homestead in Knox Township; Mary is the wife of Webb Sipherd, and lives in Polk county, Nebraska.
     The subject of this history was but four years of age when he removed to Franklin County, Pennsylvania. He grew to manhood there, and educated in the district schools. He came to Illinois with his parents, and remained with them until his marriage in 1862. At that time he united with Margaret Saddler, who was born in Adams county, Pennsylvania. Eighteen months afterward she died, leaving one child, a son named Harry. His second marriage was contracted 13 November 1866, with Elizabeth Rogers. She was born in Trumbull county, Ohio, and is the daughter of Charles and Eliza (Phillips) Rogers, the father a native of Connecticut and her mother of England. One child was the result of this latter union, a daughter named Lottie. At the time of marriage, they settled on that part of their homestead which Mr. Armstrong now owns and occupies.
     In the spring of 1865, Mr. Armstrong, with others, engaged in the employ of the Government, and went South to Chattanooga and to different parts of East Tennessee. There he continued until the close of the war. At the present time he is engaged in the joint business of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Armstrong is a valued member of the community, an alert thinker, and wide-awake to the political situation. He is a Republican in politics, and warmly supports that party in sentiment and vote. His wife is an enrolled member of the Presbyterian Church and he is liberal in religious sentiment, though connected with no special organization. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 674, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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