Biographies K
| Thomas Keefe | Hiram Riley King |
| Horatio N. Keightley | Elias Kjellander |
| Ambrose King | more to come... |
Hiram Riley King – Among the
agriculturists of Lynn township, Knox County, who have been numbered among the substantial
farmers and representative citizens and who achieved success and surrounded themselves
with prosperity by their own exertions and persevering efforts was Hiram Riley King, whose
birth occurred near Akron, Ohio, on the 21st of January, 1832, and who died on the 19th of
December, 1910. His industry and enterprise, together with good management, had been
the means of enabling him to acquire a considerable acreage of excellent land, which for
many years he kept under cultivation and from which he derived bountiful harvests.
His parents were Ambrose and Sarah (Root) King. The father,
who was born in New York State, February 22, 1788, removed to Knox County in 1853 and
located near the Union schoolhouse, where he resided for the greater part of his
life. The mother’s death occurred on the 2nd of December, 1839, at
Shalersville, Ohio. She had five children, one of whom survives, Homer A., of
Colton, California. On the 1st of September, 1840, Mr. King was married to Miss
Harriet Porter, of Bath, Ohio, and by their union three children were born: Mrs. Sarah E.
Patty, of Riverside, California; Ambrose L. of Victoria, Illinois; and Corwin S.,
deceased. The father’s death occurred on the 19th of January, 1876, when he was
about seventy-eight years of age, and his second wife died on the 20th of December, 1885.
Hiram R. King acquired his education in his native state and in
the meantime assisted his father in the duties of the farm. Upon completing his
studies he remained under the parental roof and daily engaged in farm work until
1859. In that year he crossed the plains with ox teams to California, although en
route he stopped at Pike’s Peak. The trip required six months and he remained
in the west one year, returning home by way of the Isthmus of Panama.
In December, 1861, he arrived in Knox County, and on the 13th of
February, 1862, was married to Miss LYDIA ANN COLLINSON, who was born on the 12th of
August, 1837, near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, but removed to Walnut Grove township, Knox
County, when she was but one year old with her parents, Simeon L. and Mary
Collinson. Of the children of her parents four survive: John C., who is residing in
Altona; Mrs. Martha McLaughlin; Mrs. James McGoon, a resident of Altona; and Mrs. Mary E.
Durham, who makes her home in Mendota, Illinois. To Mr. and Mrs. King six children
were born; Stephen A., of Lynn township, who is married to Isabel Crose; Susan L.,
deceased, who was the wife of Frank Riner and had one son, now making his home with his
uncle; Harriet M. at home; Simeon H., deceased; Roy N. in charge of the home farm; and
Eunice J., deceased.
After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. King settled on a farm near
West Jersey, Illinois, where they lived one year. Later they removed to a farm in
Knox County and after residing there for a year went to California, where they remained
for twelve months, Mr. King being engaged in the dairy business. After their return
to Illinois they settled on the place where they resided until their deaths. In
addition to general farming, Mr. King also engaged in stock-raising to some extent.
His farm was brought under a high state of cultivation and provided with all the modern
improvements.
In politics Mr. King was a democrat and he held membership in the
Christian church, which held its meetings in the Union schoolhouse. By industry,
perseverance and patience, together with an ambition to succeed, he made his way step by
step until he rose to a position where he was numbered among Knox County’s
substantial farmers and most highly respected citizens. (History of Knox County,
Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 912- 913, submitted by J. Crandell)
Horatio N.
Keightley - One of
Knoxville's early citizens who gave his cooperation not only to the promotions of all
municipal enterprises but also to the development of educational institutions was the late
Horatio N. Keightley. He was a native of the state of New York, having been born in
Cortland County, on the 25th of May, 1825, and there he was reared and educated. During
his boyhood he attended the district's schools in the vicinity of his home, supplementing
the knowledge therein obtained by a course in the schools of Auburn, New York. Having
decided to become a lawyer, upon the completion of his preliminary education he entered
the office of William H. Seward, where he prepared for admission to the bar. In 1850, at
age of 25 years, he came to Knoxville and established an office, continuing to be actively
engaged in practice here for over forty years. He was one of the well read and widely
informed attorneys of the county, and was connected with many of the important litigations
in its early history, having successfully plead many a cause in the old court house. A man
of high standards and upright principles, he became known as one who always
conscientiously devoted himself to the protection of his clients' interests. In connection
with his professional work Mr. Keightley was also interested in the grain business and
agricultural pursuits. He owned two fine farms east of Knoxville that he cultivated for
two years, making a specialty of raising hogs.
Mr. Keightley married Miss Mary L. Ewing, who was born in Smithfield,
Pennsylvania, on the 25th of January, 1831. They were married in this city, on the 25th of
May, 1852, by the Rev. W. Y. Miller, and always made their home here. Mrs. Keightley was a
daughter of Alexander and Jane (Campbell) Ewing, the father a native of Uniontown and the
mother of Somerset, Pa. The paternal grandfather, David Ewing, was a native of Ireland. He
came to Knoxville in 1836 and with his brother, George, established a general store. Here
both he and his wife passed away and were laid to rest in the cemetery in the vicinity of
Knoxville. Grandmother Ewing's maiden name was Ruth Brown and she was a native of
Maryland. The maternal grandfather was John Campbell, who emigrated from Scotland to the
United States, first locating in Pennsylvania, but later becoming a resident of Ohio,
where he engaged in farming until his death. Alexander Ewing, Mrs. Keightley's father, was
one of the pioneer merchants of Knoxville, having opened a general store here in 1836,
that he conducted for many years. He was one of the many who made the long and perilous
journey across the prairies to California in 1849 in search of gold. Both he and his wife
passed away in Knoxville, her demise occurring on September 26, 1866, and his, on the
second of January, 1874. She was a member of the Episcopal Church, in the faith of which
denomination they reared their family. They were the parents of three children, Mrs.
Keightley been the only one surviving. The others were as follows: Anna M., the wife of
William M. Phillips of Galesburg; and John H. who in 1816 married Cornelia Weeks, and the
widow is now living in El Dorado, Kansas. Among the distinguished members of the Ewing
family is to be named General Ewing, and Mrs. Keightley is also related to General
Sherman. To Mr. and Mrs. Keightley were born eight children of whom five are now
living. Ida was born on February 4, 1857, married John G. Breece, a farmer near Caldwell,
Kansas, and they have had six children: Henry, who is deceased; Agnes, the wife of Victor
Larson; Bertha, who married Carl Stoner; and Charles, Horatio K. and Wilbur. Alice C. was
born on the 20th of September, 1859, and died on the first of December, 1907. Alexander
Ewing, born on September 15, 1861, married Mary McAuly and has three sons: Thomas Ewing,
Charles Nelson and Alexander Elwood. He is a resident of Danville, Washington. Mary
Ewing, born on January 5, 1864, is a trained nurse in Chicago and the widow of William
Bradford, by whom she had two daughters: Helen and Dorothy. Martin Gay, of Wellington,
Kansas, born on the third of September, 1866, married Sarah E. Butts and has four sons:
George Martin, who is in the United States Navy; Harry E.; Lewis H.; and Albert Ray.
The family always attended the Episcopal Church, in which Mr.
Keightley held membership as does also his widow. Fraternally he was a Mason and
politically a Republican, and at all times he took an active interest in affairs of the
municipality, having served as justice of the peace and for several terms as mayor. Mr.
Keightley always gave his assistance in promoting the development of the community along
lines he deemed qualified to best serve the interests of the citizens. He was the first to
start the subscription that brought to Knoxville St. Mary's School, an Episcopalian
institution, originally known as Ealing University, so called from Mrs. Keightley family.
He was held in the highest esteem not only in Knoxville, where he has resided for so many
years, but in the entire county, and his death on the seventh of April, 1896, caused deep
regret in the community. For several years prior to his demise he had been living retired,
his failing health having necessitated his withdrawal from active life. He is survived by
his widow, who has been a resident of Knoxville for 75 years, 49 of which have been spent
on the old family homestead, where she is still living. Mrs. Keightley had an extensive
acquaintance among the early pioneers of this section, whose names now figure prominently
in the state's history. She well remembers Lincoln's early days and struggles and was
present at an address he made from the balcony of the old Hebbard House, in 1858, and many
are the interesting reminiscences she relates of those early days. (History of Knox
County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 9-10, submitted by J. Crandell)
Elias J. Kjellander.
Representatives of foreign countries are doing much toward peopling the great
middle west and among them are many Germans and Swedes who, by their energy and
industry, have developed productive farms and have thereby added greatly to the
country's wealth. Among this number is Elias J. Kjellander, whose name indicates
his foreign origin. He was born in Sweden, on the 7th of February, 1844. In his
native land Mr. Kjellander was reared and educated in its public schools, also
attending college for a time, and there continued to dwell until 1881, in which
year he came to the United States, determined to seek, here the opportunities
which he had heard were open to those possessing ambition, industry and
perseverance. That these qualities were not foreign to his nature was soon
manifest in the determination with which he at once set himself to earning his
livelihood in a strange land, amid strange people and customs. He labored for
some time and the spirit of thrift, which is the birthright of the Swedish
nation, was strong within him and eventually he succeeded to establish himself
independently as a farmer. He purchased a tract of one hundred and twenty acres
on sections 14 and 15, Cedar township, and to its development and improvement he
has since devoted his energies. As the years have passed prosperity has attended
his efforts and he now has well cultivated fields which annually return abundant
harvests as a reward for the care and labor expended upon them.
In 1884 Mr. Kjellander was united in marriage to Miss
Antoinette Johnson, a native of Sweden, who in 1864 came to America in company
with her parents, both of whom are now deceased. They located in Galesburg, Knox
county, Illinois, where their remaining days were devoted to agricultural
pursuits. Unto Mr. and Mrs. Kjellander have been born four sons, as follows:
Everett and Anton, both residing in Canada; Justus, who lives in Warren county,
Illinois; and Frederick, who resides at home and assists his father in his
farming interests. The family are all members of the Swedish Lutheran church and
are highly respected throughout the community in which they live, for their many
excellent traits of character. Since naturalization bestowed upon Mr. Kjellander
the privileges of citizenship he has given his political allegiance to the
republican party and of the interests and institutions of his adopted country he
has ever been a stalwart supporter. He has had no occasion to regret his
determination to seek his fortune in this country, for here he ha found the
opportunities which he sought and in their wise utilization has won creditable
success.
(History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages
695-696,
submitted by Janine Crandell)
Ambrose King.
Though more than a third of a century has passed since Ambrose King was called
from this life, he is still remembered by many of the older residents of Knox
county as an early settler and enterprising agriculturist whose labors were an
important element in the work of upbuilding and development here. He was born in
the State of New York, his natal day being 22 February 1798. The year 1853
witnessed his arrival in Knox County, Illinois and during practically the
remainder of his life, he made his home in the vicinity of the Union schoolhouse
in Victoria township. Throughout his active business career he devoted his time
and energies to general agricultural pursuits, winning a gratifying measure of
success in his undertakings. His demise, which occurred on the 19th of January
1876, when he was about seventy-eight years of age, was the occasion of deep and
widespread regret, for he had gained an extensive circle of warm friends during
the long period of his residence here.
Ambrose King was twice married. By his first wife, who bore the maiden name of
Sarah Root, he had five children. Nelson H. King, the eldest, was born near
Akron, Ohio, on the 26th of January 1828 and passed away near Sacramento,
California, in 1873. In 1853 he wedded Miss Elizabeth Pool, by whom he had a son
and a daughter, the former being now a resident of Texas and the latter of
Ouray, Colorado. Mahala, the second child of our subject, died at the age of two
years. Hiram Riley King, whose natal day was 21 January 1832, was called to his
final rest in 1910. Unto him and his wife, who bore the maiden name of Lydia Ann
Collinson, were born six children, as follows: Stephen A., who is married to
Isabel Crose and resides with his family near Galva, Illinois; Susan L,
deceased, who was the wife of Frank Riner, and had one son; Harriet M., at home;
Simeon H., deceased; Roy N., who has charge of the home farm near Galva,
Illinois; and Eunice J., who has also passed away. Homer A. King, the fourth
child of Ambrose King, was born near Akron, Ohio, on the 7th of December, 1833.
He acquired his early education at Upper Sandusky, Ohio, and later continued his
studies in the academy at Galesburg, Illinois and also in Knox College, while
subsequently he went to Oberlin, Ohio, and prepared for the ministry under
President Charles G. Phinney. It was in this state that he was ordained by the
Illinois Advent Christian Conference. He then held from one to twenty series of
Evangelistic meetings in every New England state and most of the northern states
to the Mississippi river, forcefully illustrating his texts by the use of over
one thousand square feet of historical, biblical and prophetical paintings. In
association with Nelson and Albert J. King he published and sold twenty-six
editions of The Beekeeper’s Text Book. As each edition comprised two thousand
copies, the total number of copies sold was fifty-two thousand. Two editions
were printed in German. Reverend King was also connected with four monthly
periodicals in New York city. In Boston, Massachusetts, he published his second
book, The Bride of His Palace. At the same time he labored effectively and
earnestly as a minister of the gospel, serving as a pastor of the Advent
Christian and Baptist churches in Springfield, Massachusetts, Mystic,
Connecticut, Union Hill, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Colton,
California. His home is now at the last named place. As a companion and helpmeet
on the journey, he chose Miss Mary Lee, whom he wedded in 1882. Albert J. King,
the fifth child was born on the 14th of March, 1836 and died at San Diego,
California, in 1910. He married Miss Martha Southerland and became the father of
two daughters and one son.
Ambrose King lost his first wife on the 2nd of December, 1839, and on the 1st of
September, 1840, was again married, his second union being with Miss Harriet
Porter, of Bath, Ohio. Unto them were born three children, namely: Mrs. Sarah E.
Patty, of Riverside, California; Ambrose L. who resides in Victoria township,
Knox county, and has reared quite a family; and Corwin S., who recently passed
away in this county, leaving a widow and children.
(History of Knox County (1912), Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages
915-916,
submitted by Pat Thomas)
Any contributions, corrections, or suggestions would be deeply appreciated!
Copyright © Janine Crandell