| Thomas O'Brien | James D. O'Connor |
| John Oberg | Franklin Ogden |
| O. John Oberholtzer | N. E. Olson |
| Joseph Oberholtzer | Peter Trued Olson |
| Lars Eugene Olson | Stephen Osborn |
John C. Oberg. John
C. Oberg, a well known railroad man of Galesburg, where he has resided for over forty years, was born in Sweden, on October 19, 1849. His
parents were John and Christine (Hanson) Oberg, who were born, reared and
married in Sweden. The father, as is customary in that country, served in
the army during his early manhood and subsequently worked as a laborer,
never having learned a trade. In 1855 with his wife and family he emigrated
to the United States, first locating at Altona. There he worked as a laborer for
a few months, but in 1856 he removed his family to Wataga, where he and the
mother passed away. They were members of the Swedish Lutheran church,
and his political allegiance was accorded to the republican party. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Oberg, of whom our subject is the eldest, the
others in order of birth are as follows: Christine, who is deceased; Annie
and Andrew, twins, the former a resident of Lake Forest, Illinois, and the
latter deceased; Mary, who is also living in Lake Forest; and Oliver, Louise
and Carrie, residents of Wataga.
As he was only a child of four years, when he accompanied his parents on
their emigration to the United States, John C. Oberg acquired his education in
the common schools of Wataga, where he was reared to manhood. On the
14th of February, 1871, he came to Galesburg and obtained employment as a
brakeman on a freight train. He was an efficient and reliable employe, and two
and a half years later was promoted to the position of conductor. Ten years
later, in 1893, he was again promoted, this time being assigned a passenger
train. He is now on the Galesburg & Quincy division of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad, on which he has been detailed for some time. He has
two million, five hundred thousand miles to his credit, and during the forty
years of his service with this company has never had an accident of more than
a minor nature.
On September 24, 1879, Mr. Oberg was united in marriage to Miss Mathilda
Jacobson, a daughter of John and Anna Jacobson, of Galesburg. Mrs. Oberg was
also a native of Sweden, her birth having occurred on May 6, 1849, while
she passed away in Galesburg in 1905. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Oberg
numbered five children, of whom three died in infancy; the others are Lilly L.
and Sophia A., both of whom are at home.
Mr. Oberg is a member of the Swedish Lutheran church, with which his
wife was also affiliated, and fraternally he belongs to the Order of Railway
Conductors, being identified with Galesburg Division, No. 83, in which he has
held the various offices. He is independent in his political views, giving his
support to such men and measures, he deems most likely to subserve the best
interests of all of the people. Mr. Oberg's life has not been distinguished by
any unusual events, but has been passed in the unobtrusive manner that characterizes the thrifty and industrious citizen, who discharges his duties to his
family and society at large to the best of his ability.
(History
of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 391-392, submitted by J. Crandell)
James D. O'Connor - James D. O'Connor, engaged in a general contractor in business in Galesburg, his native city, was born January 31, 1872, a son of James and Margaret (Ryan) O'Connor. The father was a native of Lebanon, New York, while the mother was born in County Limerick, Ireland, whence she was brought to the United States by her parents when three years old. In his boyhood days James O'Connor came to Galesburg and in early manhood was here engaged in the livery business, while later he figured prominently in real-estate circles, winning along those lines the success that now enables him to live retired, his home being at No. 173 West Main street. He is an independent voter, standing for progress and improvement rather than for partisanship, and his fellow townsmen, appreciative of his worth and ability, several times elected him to represent the second ward as alderman. He was also a member of the board of appraisers.
He belongs to the Catholic Church and is a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Galesburg Club. His wife died in November, 1904. In the family were six children: Martin, who is a resident of Galesburg, Illinois; Mary, deceased; James D., of this review; Lillian, the wife of C. H. Nold, of St. Joseph, Missouri; Alice, the wife of W. C. Johnson, of Galesburg; and Fred, who has passed away.
In St. Joseph's Academy James D. O'Connor pursued his early education and afterward attended Notre Dame University of South Bend, Indiana. Throughout the entire period of his connection with business affairs he has engaged in general contracting, putting a large portion of the sewers of this city and doing much other public work which has placed him in a substantial position among the industrious, enterprising and successful businessman of the city. He has ever realized that energy is the basis of business advancement and has diligently and persistently prosecuted his work so that substantial results have been achieved.
On the 28th of October, 1897, Mr. O'Connor was married in this city to Miss LOUISA HURLEY, a daughter of John and Sarah Hurley, of Galesburg. They now have two children: Ruth, whose natal day was October 22, 1898; and Fred, whose birth occurred on the 19th of November, 1899. Both were born in Galesburg. The parents are communicants of the Catholic Church and in politics Mr. O'Connor has followed in his father's footsteps, maintaining an independent position, supporting such measures as he deems effective forces in good government and such candidates as he believes will prove loyal to the public trust. He has himself served as alderman from the first ward during the past four years and exercises his offical prerogatives and support of many progressive movements for the general good. (History of Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 43-44, submitted by J. Crandell)
O. John Oberholtzer.
By the intelligent and capable direction of his
activities along agricultural lines O. John Oberholtzer met with such success
that he became one of the extensive property owners of Elba township, spending
the last years of a well rounded life in retirement in Williamsfield, his death
occurring on November 11, 1911. He was born in the
vicinity of Ashland, Wayne county, Ohio, on the 12th
of May, 1846, a son of James and Ann (Tedrow) Oberholtzer, both of German
extraction. The father was born and reared in Pennsylvania, but in his early
manhood he located in Ohio, where he followed the blacksmith's trade until 1848,
when with his wife and family he came to Knox county. Of the marriage of Mr. and
Mrs. Joseph Oberholtzer there were born five children : Louisa J.; O. John;
Elizabeth J., who is deceased; Homer W.; and Mary E., who has passed away.
The son of a pioneer farmer,
O. John Oberholtzer was afforded but limited educational advantages, during
which time he also assisted his father with the cultivation of the fields. At
the age of eighteen years he enlisted in Company E, Eleventh Illinois Volunteer
Cavalry, going to the front on the 2Oth of January, 1865, where he remained
until the close of hostilities. Upon receiving his discharge he returned home
and again applied his energies to the cultivation of the farm, remaining with
his people until he was twenty-two. He then began to make his own way in the
world and the following year was married, immediately after which he and his
bride settled on a quarter section of land he had purchased in Truro township.
He assiduously applied himself to the further improvement of his property,
during the succeeding five years, at the expiration of which time he disposed of
it. The proceeds he invested in three hundred and twenty acres located in the
same township, and there he lived until his retirement. Mr. Oberholtzer
perseveringly devoted his energies to general farming and stock-raising and met
with such excellent returns that he was able to increase his holdings until he
had acquired five hundred and ninety acres. He erected good barns and
substantial outbuildings as well as a comfortable residence on his homestead,
which he further improved by the addition of many modern conveniences and
comforts. The operation of his fields and the harvesting of his abundant crops
was always conducted under the personal supervision of Mr. Oberholtzer, who is a
man of practical ideas and progressive methods. To his capable supervision of
every detail about his farm as well as his energy and the concentration of his
powers must be attributed much of his success.
At Knoxville on the 21st
of February, 1869, Mr. Oberholtzer was united in marriage to Miss Amelia A.
Smith, a daughter of William H. and Mary (Almey) Smith, natives of New York. Six
children have been born unto Mr. and Mrs. Oberholtzer, as follows: Clara E.;
Emma A.; Nellie J.; Ida E.; Edward J., who is engaged in the practice of
medicine, at Williamsfield; and Joseph W., who is deceased.
Mr. Oberholtzer was an
honored member of the Grand Army of the Republic, being commander of the local
post, and his political support was given the republican party. In 1880 he
served as assessor and four years later he was elected justice of the peace,
while he also served as township supervisor for nine years. He has always taken
an active part in local political affairs and up to the time of his death
discharged the duties of justice of the peace. He received and fully warranted
the high esteem of the community, in which he was widely known and left his
family a comfortable competence and large property interests, a monument of
diligence and persistent effort. His demise on November 11,
1911, caused deep sorrow to his family, to whom he had been a devoted husband
and father, and wide regret among his many friends and acquaintances who
reverently cherish his memory. He was laid to rest in the cemetery at
Williamsfield.
(History of
Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 142-143, submitted by J. Crandell)
Franklin Ogden, ex-merchant
and retired farmer, son of Abraham and Keziah (Houghton) Ogden, natives
respectively of Old and New England, was born in Oneida County, New York, 25
July 1808. Abraham Ogden came to America when he was 23 years of age; settled in
York State where he farmed up to 1839, when he came to Illinois, and in Berwick
Township, Warren County, Illinois spent the rest of his life, dying in 1845. The
old man was a lover of American institutions, and in the War of 1812 served his
adopted country faithfully as a soldier. He reared four sons and three
daughters, Franklin being the second in order of birth.
The subject of our sketch received a fair common-school
education in New York State; grew to manhood on a farm, came to Illinois in
1840, and lived in Warren County until 1865. At Berwick, in that county, he was
for some years engaged in mercantile business, at which, augmented by the
products of the farm, he accumulated a considerable fortune. In the spring of
1866, he removed to Galesburg, where he has since been engaged in the
manufacture of composition stone. Before the war Mr. Ogden was a Whig; in fact,
it may be said that he was an active politician, for we find that he was a
political speaker of more than local reputation. When the Whig party expired, or
was swallowed up by other parties, he identified himself with the Republican
party, where he has since given his ablest support. For more than 50 years Mr.
Ogden has been a member of the Baptist Church; 30 years of the time a Deacon,
and the proudest thing to be said of him is, that through his whole life (and he
has seen more than three-quarters of a century) his acts have been consistent
with his professions.
At Rome, New York, 11 October 1832, Mr. Ogden was
married to Miss Jane Briggs, who died at Berwick about the year 1848, leaving
five children, after having buried two, Analucia and Joseph, who died in
infancy. Of the others, Franklin D. is a farmer in Warren County; Eliza Jane
died in 1853, at the age of 18 years; Allen B. died in 1853, at the age of 14
years; James also died in 1853, at the age of 11 years and Albert is a citizen
of Colorado.
2 August 1850, Mr. Ogden, united with his second wife,
Mrs. Cynthia Whiting, nee Richardson, in Genesee, New York. She lived but a
short time and died at Berwick, in Warren County, 29 August 1850. Mr. Ogden
found his third wife in the person of Mrs. Sarah Jane Baker, nee Pollack, and to
her he was married at Berwick, 26 May 1853. Mrs. Ogden was a native of Ohio and
a daughter of Robert and Margaret (Hurley) Pollack. Her first husband was a
professional educator in his lifetime. Her only child, George W. Baker, died
near Berwick, 4 August 1853, at the age of three and one-half years.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in
1886, page 804, submitted by Pat Thomas)
Additional Notes:
Berwick Cemetery, Warren County
Ogden
James 1821-1840
Abraham 1770-1845
Keziah 1788-1872
Franklin Delos 1833-1912
Harriet A. 1844-1920
Asa A. 1868-1969
Eliza Jane 1836-1853
Allen B. 1840-1854
James 1841-1853
Cynthia R. W. 1817-1851
B. Whiting 1850-1851
Joseph B. 1848-1848
Ann Delucia 1838-1840
Franklin 1808-1900
Aaron 2 October 1845- 25 August 1846, only son of Rai--ms & Marissa C.
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Joseph Oberholtzer, a
pioneer of Truro Township, is the subject of this biographical sketch. He is a
resident of Knox County, and may be considered one of the landmarks of this
section of country. He is identified with the growth of this portion of our
State, and experiences all the pleasure of those who watch the gradual growth
and final success of any pet enterprise in which they are personally concerned.
Mr. Oberholtzer was born in Columbiana County, Ohio, 13
May 1819. His father, Jacob Oberholtzer, was a native of Bucks County,
Pennsylvania and his grandfather was a native of Switzerland; the latter also
settled in Bucks County, and spent the last year of his life there.
The father of our subject grew to manhood in his native
county and was reared on a farm. Soon after marriage and previous to the War of
1812, he removed to Ohio and settled in Columbiana County, where he was one of
the early settlers. There he entered timber land and cleared a farm, on which he
lived until 1834, when he removed to Wayne County, in the same State. Purchasing
a farm, he settled upon it and there labored until his death, which occurred in
1847, he having obtained the age of 80 years. The maiden name of Mrs. Jacob
Oberholtzer was Elizabeth Mellinger, who was born in Lancaster County,
Pennsylvania and died died in Wayne County, Ohio, several years later, at the
age of nearly 80 years. A family of 14 children grew up about them, of which our
subject was the tenth in order of birth. He was reared on a farm and remained
there until he reached the age of 18 years. At that period he started out for
himself, and going to Richland County served two years at the blacksmith's
trade. He then opened a shop in Wayne County and conducted the business until
1849, selling out in the fall of that year, he started with his wife and two
children to Illinois. The entire journey was made overland with two horses and a
wagon and after a tiresome trip of 20 days they reached Knox County. He rented a
house on section 34, of Truro Township, and erected a log building, in which he
worked at his trade. During the winter he bought the farm which he still
occupies. He has continually added to and improved his property, until he has
one of the most attractive homes in the county. Commodious and convenient
buildings stand on the farm suited to every branch of his chosen industry, and
having added so constantly to his original acreage he now owns about 386 acres
of farm land, besides a tract of timber land in Truro Township. Since the first
winter he has devoted his time to agricultural pursuits, and has been successful
in the extreme.
Mr. Oberholtzer was united in marriage with Miss Annie
Tedrow, 15 April 1841. She was a native of Somerset County, Pennsylvania, and
was born 12 December 1814, being the daughter of Reuben and Susan (King) Tedrow,
both natives of Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Oberholtzer are the parents of five
children, as follows: Louisa, wife of J. A. Shaffer, living in Truro Township;
O. John lives in Elba Township; Elizabeth was married to O. P. Nelson, who has a
home in Truro; Homer W. lives in Elba Township; Mary E. married Benjamin P.
Baird and died June 1880, leaving one child named Newton Baird. Mr. O. is a
member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, strong and devoted in religious
principle and a useful and worth member of society. In politics he was
Democratic until the war, and since that time has been a sound Republican.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in
1886, page 317, submitted by Pat Thomas)
Stephen Osborn, whose parents
were foremost in the ranks of those brave pioneers who many years ago came into
the wilderness and by dint of their strong will and persevering industry,
coupled with uprightness of purpose, began the work of improvement and caused
the silence to be broken by the sound of the hammer and the ax, is distinguished
as being the first white male child born in Knox County. He has therefore been
identified with its progress, and resident in its now busy midst, and can look
back as he remembers the old quiet days, and see the changes that civilization
has made.
Mr. Osborn was born at Henderson Grove, 9 August 1830.
His father, Alexander Osborn, was reared in Indiana, where his parents were
early settlers. The date of his birth was 25 April 1802, and at the age of 27
his second marriage occurred, he being united to Miss Ann Hendricks, in the year
1829, and he soon afterward came to Knox Township, and bought a farm near the
city. He lived on this for a short time and then removed to the north part of
the township and purchased a tract of unimproved land, and after cultivating it
sold out and removed to Sparta Township. There he bought a farm, which after a
few years he also sold, and went to the village of Wataga and bought property
and lived until 1879. Again disposing of his property, he removed to Frankfort,
Kansas, where his friends celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary and where
his wife died in the fall of 1879, and four months later he followed her. His
second matrimonial alliance was blest by the birth of seven children. There are
two children living of the first marriage, Elizabeth, widow of William Collins,
who lives in Kansas, and E. Jane, widow of George Pitman, who lives in Lyons,
Kansas. The children of the second marriage are as follows: Stephen, our
subject; Dorinda, wife of Samuel Vangilder, who lives in Kansas; Robert K., who
lives in Marshall County, Kansas; Lucinda, wife of Martin Key, now deceased;
Andrew J., who lives in Knox County; Thomas, who is at present City Marshal of
Girard, Kansas.
Stephen Osborn, of whom we write, was reared in his
native county, and educated in the public schools. He was married 27 April 1851
to Elizabeth Vangilder, who was born in Indiana and who is the daughter of
Samuel and Nancy (Stephenson) Vangilder. They have five children living -
Alexander, who resides in Orion, Henry County; Ella, wife of W.W. Thompson,
whose home is in Dallas County, Iowa; Samuel, Edward and George W. Anna died 15
April 1886, aged twelve years and eight months.
Mrs. Osborn has lived in Knox County, with the
exception of ten years spent in Mercer and Henry Counties, all his life. He
bought the place he now owns in 1882, and it is situated on section 3, in Knox
Township. He is at present engaged with his son Edward, in man's original
calling, that of gardening and fruit-raising, and they maintain the reputation
of furnishing as fine fruit and plants as can be obtained anywhere. Both Mr. and
Mrs. Osborn are hospitable and popular neighbors and friends, and good cheer is
found around their pleasant hearthstone. They are members of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and show forth in their daily lives the gentle attributes of a
noble religion, as exhibited in the life of Christ Jesus.
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in
1886, page 852, submitted by Pat Thomas)
Thomas O'Brien. One of the
residents of Knox County noteworthy for good citizenship and excellent traits of
character may be found in the person of our subject, the partial details of
whose history are here given. He is a farmer, located on section 36, Sparta
Township and holds the position of Roadmaster in his neighborhood. He is also
interested in education and has held the office of School Director since 1884.
Mr. O'Brien was born 23 December 1833 in Ireland. His
parents were Patrick and Margaret (Fitzgerald) O'Brien, both natives of Ireland.
Their family included three children, as follows: Annie, James and Thomas. The
latter remained at home until he had attained his majority, attending the common
schools and working on the farm. In 1854 he left his native land and came to
America, that free land known to every foreigner as the paradise of liberty,
where every man is his own monarch. He landed in New York and sought employment
which he obtained, working on a farm for two months. He then went to
Massachusetts, and worked two years in the city of Taunton. At the end of that
time, fired with the restless ambition of youth, he sailed for Australia, where
he worked for three years and three months in the gold mines. In 1859 he
returned to his native country to marry the wife of his choice. He her remained
two months and together the pair, who had been made one 19 May 1860, emigrated
to New York. From that city they came to Illinois, settling on section 35, in
Knox county. Here Mr. O'Brien purchased 42 acres of land, and cultivated and
lived on the same ten years. On section 36 he erected a large and handsome
house, which is attractive and desirable to the passer-by, and at the present
time he is in possession of 350 acres of land, highly cultivated.
Mr. O'Brien has a family of eight children, all living,
to wit: Richard, John, Maggie, James, Minnie, Thomas, Edward, and Johanna. Mr.
O'Brien is a substantial and worthy member of society and with his family is a
member of the Roman Catholic Church of Wataga. He values his land at $35 per
acre and is an example of the truth that "all things yield to him who fears not
anything."
(Portrait & Biographical Album of Knox County, Illinois, pub. in
1886, pages 458-459, submitted by Pat Thomas)
N. E. Olson.
N. E. Olson is the owner of a valuable farm of eighty
acres on section 22, Galesburg township, the rich prairie land of central
Illinois returning to him a substantial income for the care and labor which he
bestows upon the fields. He has resided in this county continuously for more
than a third of a century and during that period has become widely known as a
representative of agricultural interests here. He was born in Broby, in the
southern part of Sweden, November 7, 1857, his parents being Ola and Karna
(Benson) Nelson, both of whom were natives of Sweden. The father was a farmer
and brewer and built the first brewery in Sweden outside of the large cities. He
devoted some time to general agricultural pursuits but brewing was his principal
occupation and he continued in business at Broby up to the time of his death. He
was well educated in music and was a man of liberal culture as well of good
business ability. His widow still lives in Sweden and has now reached the
advanced age of eighty-two years.
N. E. Olson was the eldest of
a family of three children and in the acquirement of
his education attended the common and high schools of his native town, after
which he took up the profession of teaching but was also employed by an uncle in
business there. At the age of nineteen years, however, he bade adieu to friends
and native country and sailed for the new world, making his way at once to Knox
county. He arrived in Galesburg in 1877 and afterward went to Alexis, Illinois,
but soon returned to Knox county where he has since lived. For five years he was
connected with a second-hand store in Galesburg and then embarked in business on
his own account, conducting a house-furnishing-goods establishment in which he
continued until 1897. At length he withdrew from commercial pursuits to turn his
attention to general agricultural pursuits and purchased his present farm of
eighty acres, which is situated on section 22, Galesburg township. The land is
unusually rich and productive, and the progressive methods which he follows in
its cultivation enables him to annually gather substantial harvests. In addition
to general farming he is engaged in feeding hogs and thus adds in considerable
measure to his income.
In February, 1889, Mr. Olson
was united in marriage to Miss Helen Behringer, a daughter of Michael Behringer,
and they have two children, Edna and Florence, the former a pupil of Knox
College. Mr. Olson is a republican in his political views and keeps well
informed on the questions and issues of the day but has never sought nor desired
public office. He has served, however, as school clerk of his district and is a
stalwart champion of a high standard of education. He belongs to the Masonic
fraternity in Galesburg and finds pleasant relations
with his brethren of the craft. He has always lived a busy, active and useful
life and his energy, determination and honorable dealing have been the basic
elements of success which has crowned his efforts.
(History of
Knox County, Vol. II, by A. J. Perry, pages 273-274, submitted by
Janine Crandell)