Charles H. Knickerbocker, a retired farmer of LaSalle county, was born in Columbia county, New York, August 17, 1841, upon a farm near where both his parents were ushered into existence. His father, James B., was born February 5, 181 2, and his mother, Catherine, nee Latimer, in 1821. In 1845 James Knickerbocker brought his family to LaSalle county, Illinois, and settled on a farm in Manlius (now Miller) township. He broke the sod, improved the land and did general farming. He was a man whose personality was largely felt throughout the community, where he was much esteemed. He was a Republican and held a number of minor offices. He was a member of the school board several years and also acted in the capacity of treasurer for the school. His death occurred on his farm, May 4, 1884, his wife dying there March 8, 1887. Their children are: Harriet, deceased, wife of Richard Pitzer; Sally, wife of J. B. Parr, of Manlius; Milton, deceased; Lorinda, wife of George Bowers, residing on the old homestead; and Charles H., our subject.
As a boy Charles H. Knickerbocker was inured to the work incident to farm life. He attended district school during the winter months, working on the farm in summer. He remained with his parents until he attained his twenty-first year, when he began to follow agriculture for himself, at first on rented ground. He then purchased eighty acres in Miller township, where he lived until 1883, when he bought one hundred acres in Brookfield township, where he moved, remaining there until 1884, and he then came to Marseilles. He has been most successful in his farming operations and has accumulated a neat competency by his thrift and industry, making him independent of future labor. January 10, 1866, he was united in marriage to Miss Rebecca Shipman. daughter of Johnathan and Laura A. (Woodard, born February 23, 1812) Shipman. Her father was born in Providence, New York, March 11, 1809, and was captain of the home guards. Johnathan Shipman was united in marriage, in Providence, New York, September 30, 1830, to Miss Laura A. Woodard, and they came to Marseilles, LaSalle county, in 1856. They were the parents of four children, three of whom lived to maturity: Marcius M., who lives in Nebraska; Rebecca, wife of our subject; and Davis N., who is a resident of Joliet, Illinois. Johnathan Shipman died January 28, 1883, and his wife passed away September 28 of the same year.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 169-170.
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