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 ETER K. HONN is a retired farmer, residiing in the village of Ashmore. His life is an example of what may be accomplished by courage, enterprise[and industry, unaided by any other means. He was born July 22, 1814, in Nicholas County, Ky., and is the son of Daniel and Annie (Ebberman) Honn, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of Kentucky. Both are now deceased. Peter K. Honn is one of the early pioneers of Illinois, having come to the State in 1835. He at once located in Ashmore Township, and bravely commenced a struggle with the wilderness without a cent in his pocket, but possessed of a stout heart and strong hand, by which he has successfully carved his way to prosperity. He has given each of his children a valuable, well-improved farm, and is also the owner of one himself, although he resides in the village. June 23, 1837, he married Miss Matilda Woods, a native of Madison County, Ky., born April 17, 1817. She is the daughter of Adam and Mary (Kerby) Woods, natives of Kentucky, where her father owned a fine farm. He died in October, 1829, at the age of forty-five; his widow survived him many years, and died in 1859, at the age of seventy-two. She was a lady greatly beloved by her family and friends, and for many years had been a member of the Baptist Church. They had a family of nine children, the record of whom is as follows: William first married Miss Dorcas Gideon; he then married Miss Eliza Williamson, and is now deceased. Tirza, who married Green Epperson, is now a widow. Patsy became the wife of Fred Schaal; Nancy died in girlhood; Matilda is the wife of our subject; Mary A. is deceased; Sarah was married to Mr. William Gilman, and is now deceased; Hawkins P. married Julia A. Bull and is now deceased; Eliza became the wife of Thomas C. Sherwood, and is now deceased. Mr. and Mrs. Honn have a family of six children, as follows: William S. married Mary Noe; Martha A. is the wife of David R. Bane; Peter K. died in manhood; Sarah E. married F. M. Shaver; Samuel H. married Nellie Graham; Mary E. is now Mrs. R. L. Tremble. Samuel H. Honn, the son of our subject, early evinced a desire for professional life. He studied medicine with Dr. Steel, in Ashmore, and afterward graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, and has been for several years successfully practicing medicine in Edgar County, Ill. Peter K. Honn is a man of much intelligence and mental vigor. He is a close student of all the topics of the day, social, religious and political, and having a logical turn of mind has been interested in investigating their various theories during the last forty years, while occupying the pulpit of the Christian Church. He became a member of that religious denomination at the age of fifteen and his wife united with the same church when twenty years old. He is considered a reliable authority in regard to all doctrinal matters, and is also possessed of great judgment and tact in managing Church difficulties. From boyhood he has been a faithful servant of the Master, and has administered the rite of baptism to many who have been led by him into the fold of Christ. Mr. Honn has always been actively interested in the public affairs of the township, and has held several positions on the Official Board. In his early life he served as Postmaster three years. He was Chairman of the Board of Supervisors one year, and Vice President of the Agricultural Society three years, and has also been School Director and Trustee for many years. He has been Foreman of the Grand Jury for a number of years and was Justice of the Peace four terms; during his entire life he has been one of the most important factors in the affairs of the township and county. Until the Civil War broke out he had been an old Kentucky Bourbon Democrat, but then he was a strong Union man and subsequently joined the Republican party, of which he is now a stanch supporter. He is warmly interested in the temperance cause, and has been a tetotaler for twenty-five years. The life of Peter K. Honn is its own commentary, expressive of what may be accomplished in this favored land by courage, enterprise, economy and good principles. |
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