John Beckett. The late John Beckett, a well known civil engineer, of Knoxville, was born in the vicinity of Oxford, Ohio, on the 1st of February, 1845, his parents being William and Sarah Beckett. His father was born and reared in Virginia, but in his early manhood he removed to Indiana, where he resided for some years, subsequently becoming a citizen of Ohio. There he engaged in farming, continuing to follow that occupation until his death, which occurred on his homestead near Oxford. The family of Mr. and Mrs. William Beckett consisted of five sons: Prestley, who died at the age of sixteen years; John, our subject; Arthur, who is living in Ohio; Zacharias, who is deceased; and Edward.
     The education of John Beckett was obtained in the common schools, during that period much of his time being devoted to assisting with the work of the farm. Although he was only sixteen years of age when the war broke out he enlisted in the Eighty-sixth Ohio Volunteer Infantry and went to the front for three months. At the close of his term he reenlisted, remaining in the service until the close of hostilities. He participated in many battles during that period but the greater part of the time he was stationed at Cumberland Gap. Upon receiving his discharge he returned to his home and entered a tailor shop, where he learned the trade. This vocation did not prove entirely to his liking, however, and he did not follow it after leaving Ohio in 1871. In the latter year he came to Illinois, settling in Monmouth, where he took up civil engineering. He enjoyed the work very much and continued to follow it the remainder of his life, meeting with good success. His development was marked by rapid progress and he became connected with some of the important surveys of the state, having had the distinction of driving the first stake for the Iowa Central Railroad from Peoria to Keithsburg, Illinois. Mr. Beckett was a capable engineer and a good business man, but had hardly reached the zenith of his powers when death terminated his career on the 21st of August, 1889.
     On the 6th of March, 1882, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Downard, who was born in Clinton county, Ohio, on the 14th of May, 1846, and is a daughter of Jesse and Sallie (Showalter) Downard. The birth of the father occurred near Uniontown, Pennsylvania, while the mother was a native of Westmoreland county, that state. In the early years of their domestic life they came to Ohio, where they spent the remainder of their lives. The father was a shoemaker by trade and having been given the advantages of a good education he also taught school for a time, but his latter years were devoted to farming. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Downard numbered thirteen, seven sons and six daughters: William Wallace, who was a veteran of the Civil war, having enlisted from Indiana, now deceased; Edwin, also a veteran of the war, now a resident of Oklahoma; Mary, the deceased wife of Robert Harland; Benjamin, a veteran of the Civil war, now living at London Mills; and Lafayette and William, who were also in the Union service, now deceased; Stephen, who was killed during the war; Jennie, the wife of Scott Snedeker of Dayton, Ohio; Mrs. Beckett; Emma, the wife of William Tyner, of Elk City, Kansas; Amanda, who is the deceased wife of Nelson Kennedy; Alice, also deceased; and Phineas, who lives in Iowa. Mr. Downard was one of the prominent citizens of Logan county, Ohio, where for several years he held the office of county surveyor. Of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Beckett there were born three children: Jesse, who is deceased; Frank, who is living in Knoxville; and Lysle, the wife of Stephen Smith, formerly of Knoxville but now Palm Beach, Florida, by whom she has had three children, Thomas, Matthew and Stephena.
     Mr. Beckett gave his political support to the Republican party. He was not identified with any religious denomination but always attended the Presbyterian church, of which Mrs. Beckett was a member. The early years of their domestic life they spent in Abingdon, but they subsequently removed to London Mills, where they resided until 1886 when they came to Knoxville, purchasing the residence, which has ever since been the family home. Mrs. Beckett is well known here and has many friends, whose esteem has been won through her many estimable qualities of both heart and mind. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 251-252, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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William Lorenzo Belden . William Lorenzo Belden is a retired farmer of Galesburg, who for many years was associated with general agricultural pursuits in Orange township and also engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery. The success which crowned his labors enables him at the present time to enjoy the comforts of life without further recourse to business activity. He was born at Cayuga Lake, New York, in 1836, a son of Alonzo and Hannah (Schwartz) Belden, who were also natives of the Empire state. They removed to Ohio when their son William was a lad of seven years and in 1850 came to Knox county, Illinois. The father was a plasterer by trade and spent his last years in this county, while his wife died in Nebraska, where she had gone after the death of her husband. In their family were seven children, of whom William L. and a brother, George C., are the only ones now living. Two of the brothers served as soldiers in the Union army during the Civil war, George C. and Charles, who was killed by the notorious Rand at Gilson.
     After spending the first seven years of his life in the state of New York, William L. Belden accompanied his parents to Ohio and for about seven years was a resident of Marion county, in that state. He came to Knox county, Illinois, when a lad of fourteen years and for more than six decades has resided within its borders, witnessing the many changes which have occurred as the work of development and improvement has been carried forward. Settling in Orange township, near Knoxville, he began farming and from a timber tract developed a richly improved farm of eighty-eight and three-fourths acres. He made all of the improvements upon the place, set out an orchard, erected substantial buildings and built good fences. Year after year, the work was carried steadily forward and as the result of early spring plowing and planting, good crops were gathered in the autumn. The methods which he pursued in the development of his land were both practical and progressive and his crops found a ready sale on the market. He continued to make his home upon his farm until 1911, when he left the care of the property to others and took up his abode in Galesburg, where he is now living. He still owns the old home place and while residing thereon he engaged in the practice of veterinary surgery.
     In 1865 Mr. Belden was united in marriage to Miss Emily Hawley, who was born in Orange township, this county, and is a daughter of Henry and Sarah (Westerfield) Hawley. Her father came to Illinois from New York and established his home in Orange township, where he carried on farming throughout his remaining days. To him and his wife were born eight children, of whom two sons and two daughters yet survive, all being residents of Knox county. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Belden are: Henry A., who follows farming in Kansas; Nellie, the wife of Charles Miller, of Iowa; Loretta, the wife of Milo Brown, also of Kansas; Mrs. Mattie Bowhay, who likewise makes her home in the Sunflower state; and Zenana, yet at home.
     On attaining his majority William L. Belden proudly cast his first vote for republican candidates and has since staunchly supported the party. He has served as road commissioner and in other local offices but has not sought or desired political preferment. From the age of fourteen years he has been a member of the Methodist Episcopal church and has guided his life by its teachings, ever endeavoring to follow the Golden Rule. Undoubtedly he has made mistakes - as who has not- but they have been of judgement rather than of intention, for at all times he has sought to do to others as he would have them do unto him. He has now reached the advanced age of seventy-five years and during sixty-one years of this time has been a resident of Knox county, so that he has witnessed much of its progress and improvement, aiding at different times in work that has contributed to its growth and development. He has personal knowledge of many things which are to others matters of history and his memory recalls many interesting events of the early days. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, page 319-320, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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Samuel K. Barlow , a successful farmer, residing on section 13, Lynn Township, where he owns a good farm of 128 acres of rich and productive land, was born in Lynn Township, 13 April 1846. Mr. Barlow, in addition to the raising of the cereals, is engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock breeding, and in the latter department of his vocation is meeting with excellent success.
The father of our subject, Nathan Barlow, deceased, was an early settler in this county, and experienced all the trials incident to the establishment of a home and the cultivation of a farm in a new and sparsely-settled country. Samuel Barlow was educated in the public schools and lived at home, assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until his marriage. That event occurred at the residence of the bride's parents, 27 November 1865, in Lynn Township, and the lady of his choice was Miss Lavinia E. Gross, daughter of Freeman Gross, whose biography is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Barlow was born in Fredericksburg, Pennsylvania, 23 June 1845. She was the oldest but one of her mother's children, and the oldest of two now living. Mrs. Barlow was educated after the removal of her parents to Lynn Township, being at that time but nine years of age, and lived with her parents until her marriage. She has borne her husband eight children, four of whom are deceased. The living are Fannie L. born 12 February 1868; Freeman S. born 1 August 1872; Mollie L. born 28 January 1871 and Blanche G. born 5 August 1880.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barlow they settled on the farm where they are now living and since that time Mr. B. has made wonderful improvements on the place, and now has a good and productive farm. He and his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. B. is a Democrat. Their children who have passed to the land beyond were Helen L. aged 14 years old; Jessie M. aged 4 years; Freddie G. 1 year and an infant son.  (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 596, submitted by Pat Thomas)

FRANK SEARS BARTLETT. Frank Sears Bartlett, a representative of an old and prominent family of Knox county, is successfully engaged in business as a member of the real-estate and insurance firm of Bartlett & Robbins and is likewise the secretary of the Mutual Loan & Building Association of Galesburg. His birth occurred in this county, on the 4th of December, 1855, his parents being Erasmus Ahnon and Helen J. (Sears) Bartlett, both of whom were natives of the state of New York. The paternal grandfather, John D. Bartlett, was born in Vermont and when four years of age was taken by his parents to Genesee county, New York, where he grew to manhood and conducted a hotel in Alexander. In 1842 he visited Illinois on horseback and two years later brought his family here, purchasing land in Rio township. He passed away at the age of seventy-eight years, while his wife, who bore the maiden name of Sarah Pryor, was about eighty-two years when called to her final rest. Their children were five in number, namely: Livona, who gave her hand in marriage to E. C. Field ; Loamma M.; Erasmus A.; Sarah, who became the wife of E. R. Rhoades; and John D., Jr. William Sears, the maternal grandfather of our subject, was a native of Cortland county, New York. He and his wife, Mrs. Caroline (Vaile) Sears, became pioneer settlers of Knox county, Illinois, locating at Henderson, where Mr. Sears conducted a hotel, a flouring mill and a sawmill and also engaged in farming. In 1869 he removed to Iowa, settling in Harrison county, where his demise occurred when he was past eighty years of age. His wife was also past that age when called to her final rest. They had thirteen children, including the following named: Helen J.; Frank W.; Crandall; Lottie, who married a Mr. Baird; Charles; and LeGrand.
     Erasmus A. Bartlett, the father of Frank S. Bartlett, followed general agricultural pursuits throughout his active business career. In 1844 he was brought to Knox county, Illinois, by his parents, the family home being established in Rio township, where he grew to manhood and began farming. At the time of his demise he owned one hundred and thirty acres of rich and productive land in Rio township. He died in 1908, when seventy-eight years of age, passing away in the faith of the Universalist church. The period of his residence in this county covered more than six decades and he was well known and highly esteemed within its borders. He served as a school director and held various township offices. His first wife, the mother of our subject, passed away in 1869 at the comparatively early age of thirty-six. She was the mother of eight children, of whom Frank Sears is the only one now living. For his second wife Erasmus A. Bartlett chose Mrs. Elizabeth A. Edwards, by whom he had two children: Charles E., of Rio township; and Sarah A., who died at the age of thirty-two years.
     Frank S. Bartlett remained on his father's farm until eighteen years of age, first attending the district schools and later continuing his education in Knox College. After putting aside his textbooks he began clerking in the storehouse of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad Company. He remained in the service of that corporation for eighteen years and three months and was steadily promoted as he demonstrated his capability and trustworthiness, holding the position of division storekeeper when he resigned. Subsequently he embarked in the real-estate and insurance business, which has claimed his time and energies continuously since. In 1906 he admitted William A. Robbins to a partnership in the business, which has since been conducted under the firm style of Bartlett & Robbins. Their efforts have been attended with gratifying success and their clientage is of a most extensive and important character.
     On the 10th of January, 1877, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Sarah A. Fleharty, a native of Rio township, Knox county, Illinois, and a daughter of William L. and Elizabeth (Terrell) Fleharty, who became pioneer settlers of this county, taking up their abode in Rio township. The father served as a soldier of the Civil war. Mr. and Mrs. Fleharty passed away at Galesburg in middle life. They had six children, namely: Stephen T., Sarah A., William H., Elizabeth, Belle M. and Vinnie May.
     William and Amelia (Kirkpatrick) Fleharty, the paternal grandparents of Mrs. Bartlett, were early settlers of Knox county and passed away here, the former when about eighty-four years of age and the latter when about fifty years old. Unto them were born five children: Jesse J.: William L.; John and Henry, twins; and Stephen F. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett were also born five children, as follows: Alice Helen, living in Aurora. Illinois, who is the wife of M. T. Bruner, by whom she has two daughters, Lois and Helen; John D., a physician and surgeon by profession, who wedded Miss Ethel Booker and has one son, John D.; William A., who married Miss Maude Shussler and is engaged in the real-estate business at Galesburg; Walter L., who died when a youth of thirteen years; and Winfield Franklin, who is attending school.
    In politics Mr. Bartlett is a republican and his fellow townsmen, recognizing his worth and ability, have called him to several positions of public trust. He served as a member of the board of education for twelve years, was alderman of the fourth ward for one term and acted as a member of the board of supervisors for two terms. Fraternally he is identified with the Masons, belonging to Vesper Lodge, F. & A. M.; Galesburg Chapter, No. 46, R. A. M.; and Galesburg Commandery, No. 8, K. T. He serves as trustee and treasurer of the Universalist church, to which his wife also belongs. They have spent their entire lives in Knox county and enjoy an extensive and favorable acquaintance within its borders.  (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, page 308-310, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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PROFESSOR WILLIAM FREDERICK BENTLEY. William Frederick Bentley, director of the Knox Conservatory of Music and professor of singing in Knox College, has been a potent factor in the development of the musical taste of this section for many years. His native talent in this direction was soon manifest and after laying the foundation of a general education in a mastery of the fundamental principles of knowledge, he concentrated his efforts more and more largely upon the study of music, and thorough training in this land and abroad has qualified him for the position of responsibility that he has filled in connection with Knox College for more than a quarter of a century.
     Professor Bentley was born at Lenox, Ohio, September 12, 1859, and is a representative of an old New England family. His paternal grandfather, Arnold Bentley, was a native of Massachusetts and a blacksmith by trade, but for some years conducted a general store in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. He married Lois Beach and both lived to an advanced age, rearing several sons and daughters, including Anna, Mary, Lucy, Cyrus and Emily. The only son, Cyrus Bentley, the father of Professor Bentley, was born January 4, 1822, at Pittsfield, Massachusetts. The family soon after moved to East Otto, Cattaraugus county, New York, where the boy grew to manhood. He became a singing teacher and conductor of musical conventions, and when a young man removed to Ohio, settling in Ashtabula county, where he spent the greater part of his life. For three years he engaged in teaching music in Marietta, Ohio, and for about ten years was a professor of music in Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Among his pupils were: the late Charley Williams, the famous Evangelist singer; George W. Andrews, the distinguished organist, and many other people of renown in musical circles, including Professor Rice, now deceased, who was the former director of the Oberlin Conservatory of Music. Professor Cyrus Bentley was married in Harpersfield, Ohio, October 16, 1851, to Miss Harriet Prentice, a native of that state and a daughter of Daniel Prentice, who was born in Stonington, Connecticut, August 25, 1773, and as a young man came to Ohio and carried on business as a farmer and cattle buyer. He married Mary Atwater Hotchkiss, who was born June 21, 1779, at Cheshire, Connecticut, and they had several children, including John, Noyce, Henry, Eunice, Salina, Lucinda and Harriet. The marriage of Cyrus and Harriet (Prentice) Bentley was blessed by three children: Alice, now deceased, who was the wife of Corydon Sexton; Ralph Prentice, of Dorset, Ohio; and Professor Bentley of this review.
     The last named spent his youthful days upon his father's farm in Ashtabula county, Ohio, where he mastered the branches of learning taught in the district schools and later attended the public schools of Marietta, Ohio, the Normal school at Geneva, Ohio, and the high school of Oberlin. His father's recognition of his musical talent led to his education along that line and he was grad­uated from the Conservatory of Music of Oberlin College. He then went abroad for further study, spending three and one-half years in the musical centers of the old world, including Leipsic, Berlin, Paris and London, where he had the benefit of instruction from some of the ablest masters. In the meantime he had engaged in teaching music for two years and after his return from Europe he came to Galesburg. to accept the position of director of the Knox Conservatory of Music, in which capacity he has continued since 1885, making this one of the popular and well patronized departments of the college.
     Professor Bentley was married, November 28, 1883, to Julia Asenath Webster, a native of Geneva, Ohio, and a daughter of Dennis and Mary A. (Sampson) Webster, who were natives of Ohio and New Hampshire, respectively. Her father is now .deceased, but her mother still resides at Geneva, Ohio. In their family were four children, George, Julia, Mary and Harriet. Professor and Mrs. Bentley have a daughter, Florence May, who is now attending Knox College. The parents are members of the Central Congregational church and are well known in the city where their residence covers a period of twenty-six years. Their home has ever been a hospitable one and the center of a cultured circle of society. Professor Bentley has held to high ideals in his profession and his ability, based upon technical training and natural talent, and has well qualified himself to uphold the standard of his department and to stimulate his pupils with much of his own zeal and interest in and devotion to the work. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, page 360-362, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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WILLIAM A. BARTLETT. William A. Bartlett, a well known and prosperous young citizen of Galesburg, has here been engaged in the real-estate business since 1907. He was born in Galesburg on the 25th of October, 1882, his father being Frank Sears Bart­lett, a sketch of whom appears on another page of this volume. After acquir­ing his education in the schools of his native city he went to Winnipeg, Canada, there spending one year in the employ of the Deering Harvester Company. He next acted as a clerk in the stock house of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad for one year and then became engaged in the hardware business at Monmouth, Illinois, in association with his father-in-law, George A. Schussler, this relation being maintained for three years. On the expiration of that period he went to Racine, Wisconsin, as purchasing agent for the J. I. Case Plow Works, but resigned at the end of a year and removed to Colorado for the benefit of his health, remaining in that state for two years and having charge of a lumber concern. In 1907 he came to Galesburg, Illinois, and has since devoted his attention to real-estate interests here with excellent results, selling Red River lands in North Dakota.
     On the 30th of June, 1903, Mr. Bartlett was united in marriage to Miss Maude Frank Schussler, a daughter of George A. and Mary J. (Barnes) Schussler, of Monmouth, Illinois. In politics Mr. Bartlett is independent, supporting men and measures rather than party for party principles. He is a de­voted and consistent member of the Universalist church and also belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, the Elks Club, the Galesburg Club and the Country Club. His nature is social and his disposition cordial, and while he has at all times commanded the respect and admiration of his business associates, he has also enjoyed the warm friendship of those who have come within the closer circle of his acquaintance. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, page 362, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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