Biographies F

Biographies F

John C. Fahnestock

William Fleharty

James Fleming

John C. Fahnestock – John C. Fahnestock is well known in the business circles of Galesburg, having handled land and immigration interests for the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe Railroad and at present conducting a general insurance and real-estate business. He is now in the seventy-fourth year of his age but is yet very active, and such a record should put to shame many a man of much younger years who have grown weary of the struggles of life and wishes to relegate to others the burden that he should bear. Mr. Fahnestock was born October 20, 1838, in Warren, Chester County, Pennsylvania, his parents being William and Ann Elizabeth (Ernst) Fahnestock. He traces his ancestry back to Diedrich and Margarette Fahnestock who emigrated from Prussia in 1726 and settled near Ephrata, Pennsylvania, where representatives of the name have since been found.
     John C. Fahnestock was educated at Blair Hall in his native county and, entering business life, became connected with the sale of books and stationery. He has been a resident of Galesburg since 1865, conducting a book and stationery business for several years, after which he acted as land and immigration agent for the Atchinson, Topeka & Sante Fe Railroad for ten years. His time is now fully occupied by his real-estate and insurance business, and these different lines are well managed by reason of his sound judgment, his earnest purpose and his wise use of opportunities.
     On the 7th of November, 1878, in Galesburg, Mr. Fahnestock was married to Miss GRACE D. CARR, a daughter of Clark M. and Fanny L. Carr, of this city. She is the only sister of General Eugene A. Carr, now deceased, Colonel B. O. Carr, Rev. Horace M. Carr, Hon. Clark E. Carr, and Captain George P. Carr, whose early death by accident, occurred in 1871. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Fahnestock were born two children; Fanny E. who married Alfred Williams and died May 12, 1906, and Grace, the wife of Dr. Thomas F. Birmingham, of Galesburg.
    Mr. Fahnestock gives his political allegiance to the Republican Party and, while never an aspirant for office, has always been loyal to its principles and supporter of its activities. His social connections are with the Galesburg Club and his religious faith is that of the Presbyterian Church. He is well known in this city, where sterling traits have placed him in a high position in public regard. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, page 324, submitted by Janine Crandell)

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William D. Fleharty Among the worthy citizens of Galesburg death has claimed, yet whose memory is enshrined in the hearts of those who knew them, is numbered William D. Fleharty. His was a noble character and his high ideals and lofty principles were manifest in the active part which he bore in church work and his unselfish devotion thereto. He was the first white child born in North Henderson township, Mercer county, Illinois, his natal day being October 4, 1834. His parents, Covert S. and Margaret H. Fleharty, were pioneer settlers of the state, casting in their lot with the early residents of Mercer county, when its settlements were few and when the work of development and progress seemed scarcely begun. The family lived upon a farm and it was on the old homestead that William D. Fleharty spent his youthful days, experiencing many of the hardships and privations of pioneer life, yet finding in these conditions the things which tested the mettle of his own character and constituted the foundation of his later successful career and nobility. Throughout the period of his minority he assisted in developing the home farm and in 1860 he started out in life independently at the time of his marriage to Miss Mary C. Petrie, a daughter of William Petrie, of New Windsor, Illinois. They began their domestic life upon a farm in Henry county, Illinois, near Alpha, and there lived for about nine years, when, in 1869, they removed to New Windsor, where Mr. Fleharty turned his attention to the grain trade, meeting with success in that business during the twenty years which he devoted to the work. After the death of his wife he removed to Galesburg and in 1890 was again married, his second union being with Emma A. Gordon, a daughter of William H. and Martha Gordon, pioneers of Mercer county, Pennsylvania, who had also become a resident of Galesburg in 1800. There was one daughter by his first marriage, Anne.
     Mr. Fleharty's influence was always found on the side of progress and improvement, especially along intellectual and moral lines. He was an active supporter of the schools of New Windsor and served in official connection therewith. In politics he was a stanch republican and filled the office of supervisor in Mercer county. He became one of the charter members of the New Windsor Congregational church, was superintendent of its Sunday school for a number of years and for a long time carried almost the entire work of the church on his shoulders. After removing to Galesburg he placed his membership in the Old First church, which later became the Central church, and continued equally faithful to its interests and active in its support and work. Men came to know that what William D. Fleharty promised he would do, that his word was as good as any bond solemnized by signature or seal and that in every relation of life he sought to follow the Golden Rule. "Not the good that comes to us but the good that comes to the world through us" is the measure of our success, and judged by this standard the life of William D. Fleharty was a most successful one. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 225-226, submitted by Janine Crandell)
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James M. Fleming was one of the early settlers of Oneida and of Knox County, coming to the former place in 1856, when it was a mere hamlet and when the county was yet sparsely peopled. He was a native of Muskingum County, Ohio, where he was born 22 June 1811, his parents being Virginia people. He was a farmer, and after enjoying to a limited extent the meager educational advantages of that early date, was married in his native county to Emily Wells, who was born in Licking County, Ohio on 18 October 1815. Her parents, William and Susan Wells ( her mother's maiden name was Bigelow) were natives of Connecticut, of New England Ancestry and of English descent. They came to Ohio before their marriage, were pioneers in that State, living after their marriage in Licking County till the death of the father, after which the mother re-married, going to Muskingum County, where she died. Mrs. Fleming was five years old at the time of the death of her father and when 12 years old went to lived in the family of Reverend Solomon S. Miles, then a resident of Newark, Ohio, and with whom she remained till within a few years of her marriage to Mr. Fleming which took place 10 March 1836. They continued to reside in Licking and Muskingum Counties till they moved to Oneida, in 1856, where they partly improved a farm of 160 acres in Ontario Township, which is owned by Mrs. Fleming and to whom it was bequeathed by her father at his death.
     Mrs. Fleming is the mother of three children, only one of whom is living - Mrs. Susan M. Barnes, wife of P. J. Barnes, of Del Rio, Texas, where they own a comfortable home; Clay died in Ohio, aged 2 years; and Emily A. became the wife of F. M. B. Scott, died in Oneida after a few years of married life, 1 September 1876, leaving one child and losing one before her demise. The name of the child living is Ira J.
     Mr. Fleming was an active temperance worker and a stanch Republican, took considerable interest in local politics, and after a long and happy married life, a life of usefulness and devotion to friends, family and duty, he rests in peace beyond the turmoil of earth and its cares, mingling now with the great majority in a "land that is fairer than day." His death occurred 26 April 1867. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 277-278, submitted by Pat Thomas)
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John F. Fry, a farmer, residing on section 23, Galesburg Township, was born in Wittenburg, Germany, 28 February 1827. He came to America in 1853, and, landing at New York, went to Philadelphia, remaining in that city for about eight months, when he went to that city for about eight months, when he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he worked at butchering business. His enterprising spirit still urging him further to the West, after residing in Ohio 15 months he moved to Burlington, Iowa, remaining there about 15 months. In 1856 Mr. Fry came to Galesburg and located on section 23 where he had 165 acres of good land; this cost him $100 an acre. On it he has a fine dwelling-house and a good barn. Mr. Fry is the son Jacob F. and Elizabeth (Kemple) Fry, who were married in 1810, the father dying in 1834 in Germany, the mother dying in 1870. They had eight children, as follows: Phillip F., Mary Ann, Dora, Johanna R., Margaret, John, Christ. and Johanna E.
     Mr. Fry was married to Miss Mary Smith in 1859, she having been born in March, as follows; Mary W., born 15 October 1860; William F., 29 November 1862; Clara, 24 June 1866; Charles F., and Lottie F., twins, 23 January 1870, and Emma, 25 December 1872.
     Mr. Fry abandoned the butchering business in 1881, and turned his attention to farming and shipping cattle.
     Mr. Fry is a Protestant, while his wife is a member of the Catholic Church. They are highly esteemed in community as kind members of the community. By strict attention to business Mr. Fry has acquired a valuable competency. In politics he belongs to the Democratic party. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 342 & 345, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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Henry Frailey. This worthy gentleman occupies a farm on section 8, in Cedar Township, and was born in Armstrong County, Pa., Nov. 22, 1832. Here he was raised and lived until his 20th year. His father's name was John Frailey, a prominent native of Pennsylvania, who died at the age of 63 in the year 1859. He married Miss Mary Garry, also a native of the Keystone State, who died in 1869 at the age of 65. They are both buried in the state referred to, and by their union had six children - John, George and William (twins), Margaret, Elizabeth and Henry.
     Mr. Frailey, our subject, married Miss Artimitia Kays, on the 6th of March, 1861. This good lady was born Feb. 24, 1840, in Cedar Township, this county. She is the daughter of William and Elizabeth (Bracken) Kays, both natives of Kentucky. Her father's birth occurred April 11, 1804, and her mother was born in 1807 and died 5 January 1870. They were the parents of 12 children, viz: William A., Mary, James, Nancy J., Henry, Abigail, Arititia, Delia A., Jackson, George, Francis and Charles.
     Of eight children, Mr. Fraily has six living - John A. born Nov. 17, 1862; Mary E., June 5, 1865; Lillie V., May 28, 1869; Charlie, Aug. 26, 1873; George, April 15, 1876; and Willie F., Feb. 4, 1880.
     These children for a most interesting family and are a great comfort to their parents.
     In 1858 Mr. Frailey entered Illinois and worked on a farm by the month for three years. At the close of that time his marriage took place, and in 1866 he purchased 80 acres of good land, to which he has since added other lots, amounting in all to 166 acres. In the year 1875 he erected a very desirable dwelling-house.
     This gentleman and his wife are respected members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, while in politics he has always represented the interests of the Republican party. Before closing, it is only right to mention that Mr. Frailey has two interesting grandchildren - Harrison A. L. and George Frailey. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 445, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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Daniel Fuqua. Knox County includes some notable and eminently worthy men within her borders, among whom may be named the subject of this recital, the details of whose history are herein recorded. He is a pioneer of this section, and after many useful years of life, spent in forwarding the interests and growth of the county, is living retired in Knoxville.
     Mr. F. was born on the banks of James River, in Bedford County, Virginia, on the 18th day of October, 1814. His father, Joseph Fuqua, was also a native of Virginia, and the maiden name of his mother was Martha Reynolds. The State of her nativity was also Virginia, and when our subject was in his third year, his parents removed to Kentucky, and settled in Hart County. Here his father bought a farm and engaged in the culture of tobacco, and here they continued until the fall of 1829, when he sold out and emigrated to Illinois. With him were his wife and eight children, and with both horse and ox teams they pursued their journey as far as Indiana, where they spent the winter, and in the spring pushed forward to Knox County. Here they located at Henderson Grove, and finding a vacant cabin, of longs, on the south side of the Grove, they moved into it on the 10th of May and resided there until the following fall. He, at this time took up a claim in the heart of Henderson Grove, and there built a log cabin of his own. He covered the roof with split clapboards, making puncheons for the floor, and splitting the boards for the doors. Just in the midst of his preparations, when both were most hopeful, he was cut down by death, dying in June, 1831, leaving his bereaved widow to continue the struggle of life alone in a new and unsettled country, with a family of eight children. Of their large family, consisting of 13, five were married and living in Kentucky. However, undismayed, this pioneer wife and mother "took up the burden of life again," and, calling to her assistance all the latent energy and perseverance of her nature, went on with her work. She carried on the farm with what assistance could be rendered her by the two older children until 1833, when they removed to what is now Orange Township, staked a claim and erected a log cabin. Here they lived for about three years, at the expiration of which time the mother sold out and removed to Hendersonville. Here she lived for many years, crowned with the reward of virtue and goodness, and, at the home of her daughter, Mrs. John Roundtree, in 1856, peacefully passed from earth.
     The subject of this history was the seventh child in order of birth. At the age of 16 years, Mr. Fuqua came to Knox County, and in consequence of so early a settlement well remembers all the incidents of their removal here. He assisted his father and mother in the improvement of the farm, and after his father's death, being the eldest, naturally took the lead in its management. When they lived in Henderson Grove they were obliged to leave the county to go to mill, and the first year the family lived here they had to buy corn, which they ground in a hand-mill. Up to the time of his marriage, February 20, 1834, he remained with his mother, dutifully caring for and assisting her, but with the natural desire of a young man to seek "the shadow of his own vine and figtree," he entered the bonds of holy matrimony with Rosanna Bomar. Miss Bomar was born in Hart County, July 4, 1818, and was the daughter of Dr. Wilson and Elizabeth (Freeman) Bomar. Her father was a native of Virginia and a practicing physician, who came to this county from Kentucky in 1833, making the entire journey overland. His family consisted at that time of his wife and 11 children. Bringing household good with him, he worked and camped along the way, and on reaching Knox County located in Orange Township in a deserted cabin, where they spent the winter. The following spring the family went to Knox Township, and taking up a claim worked it for two years, when selling out, they removed to Truro Township. Here they lived for five or six years, then returned to Knox Township, where they spent the remaining time until 1848. At this time they removed to the State of Missouri, where the father died a few years later. He had practiced his profession and superintended the improvement on his farm up to this time.
     The spring succeeding his marriage, Mr. Fuqua, of this sketch, took up a claim in Orange Township, and lived on it nearly one year, at the end of which time he sold it and removed to Knox Township, where he bought a claim in sections 4 and 9. On this piece of property he lived for several years, adding to it all modern improvements and highly cultivating it. Since that time he spent two and one-half years in Abingdon, going there for the purpose of giving his children the benefits of an education, but with that exception he has lived in the vicinity of Knoxville, in Knox Township, ever since entering it. The farm of 200 acres is managed at the present time by renters.
     Mr. and Mrs. Fuqua are the parents of eight children, viz. Martha E., wife of A. A. Lynde, living in California; Charles W. whose home is in Decatur County, Iowa; Eliza, wife of A. O. Temple, living in Knox Township; Mary F., wife of W. P. Carlton, whose home is in Cass County, Dakota; Celia, wife of T. W. McGill, living in Knox Township; Maria, wife of J. M. Woods, whose home is in Orange Township; Emma G. , wife of C. S. Russell, who lives in Knox Township; and Ella D. resides at home; Andrew died at the age of five years and a son died in infancy.
     Mr. and Mrs. Fuqua both worship in the Baptist Church, to which they are united as members by profession of faith, and to which they have belonged ever since they were young. Mr. F. is a wide-awake man and a good, logical thinker on the questions of the day, and once supported the Democratic party in sentiment and vote, but lately gives the Prohibition party much attention. He and his good wife encountered the sunshine and storm of 52 years of married life and are grandparents to 59 children, and great-grandparents to 7.
     Mr. Fuqua assisted in the building of the fort to protect the settlers from the Indians during the trying times of the Black Hawk War in 1831 and 1832, and has figured prominently in the early struggles of the county. He joined the Rangers under Captain McMurtry, and was in two engagements, once after Stillman's defeat. Himself and wife were married at the residence of Major Ferguson, by the Reverend Jacob Gumm, constituting part of a double wedding party, a daughter of Mr. Ferguson and Alexander Robinson being united at the same time. Mr. Fuqua's wife died at their residence, February 21, 1886, and is buried in the cemetery at Knoxville.
     In presenting the portraits of leading and representative citizens, none are more worthy of a place than that of Daniel Fuqua, both as a pioneer and leading citizen. We are pleased to give a companion picture of his esteemed and lamented companion. Both are given in connection with this sketch. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, pages 269-270, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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Daniel W. Flynn is a worthy representative of the sons of the Emerald Isle residing at Galesburg. He was born in the parish of Newport, in the County of Tipperary, in 1846. His parents were Patrick and Mary (Coffey), who came to this country in 1865 and settled at Galesburg. Of their family of three sons and two daughters, but two sons survive - Daniel W., our subject and Thomas, an Inspector in the Water Works department, Chicago.
Daniel W. Flynn forsook his father's business (merchant tailoring) and apprenticed himself to learn the trade of shoemaking, which occupation he followed successfully for several years. He then abandoned this business and engaged in the liquor trade, which which he has since been successfully connected.
Mr. Flynn was married at Galesburg, to Catherine, daughter of James Norton, Esquire, the date thereof being 20 January 1873. Their union has been blest by the birth of three sons and two daughters. The record is as follows: Frank, George, Daniel, Catherine M. and Mamie. On the 12th of October 1883, Mrs. Flynn departed this life in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church, and is buried in the St. Joseph's Roman Catholic Cemetery.
Mr. Flynn is a public-spirited citizen, an active business man and a genial and kind-hearted gentleman, qualities which have eminently fitted him for his very successful course in life. (Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in 1886, page 862, submitted by Pat Thomas)

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Joseph Evans Foster, fourth son of Thomas Foster (and Eliza Horton) grew to manhood on the Broadtop Mountains (Bedford County, PA). At the age 22 he enlisted in Co. C, 133rd Reg. Pa. Vol., Captain , Alexander Bobb, Colonel, B. F. Speakman. They were mustered in at Harrisburg, Pa., on Aug. 14th, 1862. This regiment saw some very hard fighting on the fields of Antietum, Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. After his discharge he worked at the coal business in Bedford and Venango counties, Pa. Came to Illinois in 1866. Married Harriet, daughter of James M. Foster. She and their only child died May 14th, 1871. Joe has resided at Rapatee for 36 years. He has been a very useful man. Is a member of the M. E. church. (History of the Foster Family, A Wonderful Story Covering Nearly Two Hundred Years of Time and Half the United States in Territory by D. I. Foster, 1902, submitted by Todd Walter)

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