Abram Phenix Married Esther Caroline Geer Moore on 07 Sep 1851 in Stark County, Illinois.
Stark County, Illinois and its People: A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, published 1916, B. 230-233
Abram Phenix
Abram Phenix, who is living in honorable retirement from active life in Bradford after many years of well directed activity, has been a resident of Stark County for seventy-nine years, and he and his brother Harmon are probably its oldest settlers. He was born Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of December, 1829, and is a son of John T. and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix. The father was born in New York State, as were his parents, the family have been established in New York by his grandfather and great-uncle, who removed to New York city from Ireland as young men. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Phenix, was born in that city and learned the weaver's trade from his father.
Abram Phenix was but seven years old when he was brought by his mother to this county, and he remembers vividly the pioneer conditions that prevailed her during his boyhood day. He had practically no educational opportunities as he was compelled to help with the farm work as soon as he was large enough to guide a plow, but he utilized his evenings in private study, reading by the light from the fireplace or from a tallow candle. He remembers when much of the land in the county was wild prairie and he himself broke considerable land with an ox team. All of the implements which he used in farming in those days were crude compared with the complicated farm machinery of today. The responsibility of the cultivation of the land developed mainly upon him as his father and older brother, Daniel, devoted their time to the carpenter's trade. After the crops were harvested it was difficult to market them as there were no bridges over the streams as no railroads had yet been built through the county and it was necessary to make long hauls in order to dispose of the grain raised. There were a number of wolves still left in this locality and the region abounded in game, including deer and wild turkey, and a good hunter never lacked meat for his table.
A year after marriage Mr. Phenix began farming on his own account, purchasing forty acres of raw land for fifty dollars. Having no money, he paid for his land by splitting rail, and his first residence was a cabin fourteen by sixteen feet in dimension. He brought his land under cultivation, and the following year bought the adjoining eighty acres for which he paid eight hundred dollars, the difference in the purchase price indication the rapid rise in land values. As his capital consisted of only one hundred dollars he was compelled to borrow seven hundred dollars, for which he paid the exorbitant rate of fifteen per cent interest. After breaking his land he sowed it to wheat and in due time harvested a good crop. Subsequently he paid seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for thirty-six acres adjoining and still later bought forty acres for sixteen hundred dollars. As he prospered he erected a commodious and substantial house, a large barn and other necessary buildings, and in time his place became one of the best improved in the locality. He engaged in farming and stock raising until 1881, when he rented the farm and removed to Bradford, where he has since made his home. For nineteen years he and his brother Daniel engaged in the threshing business and during that time owned twenty-one different machines. They were well patronized not only in the county but in adjoining counties and derived a good income from that source. Abram Phenix at one time owned the greater part of the land on which Bradford now stands but has since sold it to advantage as town lots. Since coming to Bradford he has erected three residences there. He is one of the substantial men of his county and none begrudges him his prosperity, for it is the direct result of him unremitting industry, economy and sound judgement, and he has not only gained financial independence but has also contributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines.
Mr. Phenix was married in August, 1851, to Miss Esther C. Geer, a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Phenix has always been a stanch democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has been honored by election to a number of local offices, having served as street commissioner of Bradford for a year, as pathmaster in Penn Township for one year and as road commissioner of Osceola Township for fifteen years. He was the leading spirit in the organization of school district No. 9, furnished the lumber for the schoolhouse and put up the building and for a number of years served as director. He has always been willing to give of his time and thought and also of his means of the advancement of community interests and his public spirit is recognized by all who know him. When he came here as a child there was only one small house between Peoria and Wyoming, only three small stores in the former place and but two houses in the latter town. He is entitled to high honor as one of the courageous and farsighted pioneers whose work has made possible the present high state of development of the county, and his fellow citizens justly hold him in the highest esteem and the warmest regard. He has reaped the reward of his labors and has gained a large measure of wealth but he takes grater satisfaction in the knowledge that his success has not been gained as the result of the failure of another, as has always been strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings. He is now eighty-six years of age and is still active and interested in the affairs of the day.
Stark County, Illinois and its People: A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, published 1916, B. 230-233
Abram Phenix
Abram Phenix, who is living in honorable retirement from active life in Bradford after many years of well directed activity, has been a resident of Stark County for seventy-nine years, and he and his brother Harmon are probably its oldest settlers. He was born Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of December, 1829, and is a son of John T. and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix. The father was born in New York State, as were his parents, the family have been established in New York by his grandfather and great-uncle, who removed to New York city from Ireland as young men. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Phenix, was born in that city and learned the weaver's trade from his father.
Abram Phenix was but seven years old when he was brought by his mother to this county, and he remembers vividly the pioneer conditions that prevailed her during his boyhood day. He had practically no educational opportunities as he was compelled to help with the farm work as soon as he was large enough to guide a plow, but he utilized his evenings in private study, reading by the light from the fireplace or from a tallow candle. He remembers when much of the land in the county was wild prairie and he himself broke considerable land with an ox team. All of the implements which he used in farming in those days were crude compared with the complicated farm machinery of today. The responsibility of the cultivation of the land developed mainly upon him as his father and older brother, Daniel, devoted their time to the carpenter's trade. After the crops were harvested it was difficult to market them as there were no bridges over the streams as no railroads had yet been built through the county and it was necessary to make long hauls in order to dispose of the grain raised. There were a number of wolves still left in this locality and the region abounded in game, including deer and wild turkey, and a good hunter never lacked meat for his table.
A year after marriage Mr. Phenix began farming on his own account, purchasing forty acres of raw land for fifty dollars. Having no money, he paid for his land by splitting rail, and his first residence was a cabin fourteen by sixteen feet in dimension. He brought his land under cultivation, and the following year bought the adjoining eighty acres for which he paid eight hundred dollars, the difference in the purchase price indication the rapid rise in land values. As his capital consisted of only one hundred dollars he was compelled to borrow seven hundred dollars, for which he paid the exorbitant rate of fifteen per cent interest. After breaking his land he sowed it to wheat and in due time harvested a good crop. Subsequently he paid seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for thirty-six acres adjoining and still later bought forty acres for sixteen hundred dollars. As he prospered he erected a commodious and substantial house, a large barn and other necessary buildings, and in time his place became one of the best improved in the locality. He engaged in farming and stock raising until 1881, when he rented the farm and removed to Bradford, where he has since made his home. For nineteen years he and his brother Daniel engaged in the threshing business and during that time owned twenty-one different machines. They were well patronized not only in the county but in adjoining counties and derived a good income from that source. Abram Phenix at one time owned the greater part of the land on which Bradford now stands but has since sold it to advantage as town lots. Since coming to Bradford he has erected three residences there. He is one of the substantial men of his county and none begrudges him his prosperity, for it is the direct result of him unremitting industry, economy and sound judgement, and he has not only gained financial independence but has also contributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines.
Mr. Phenix was married in August, 1851, to Miss Esther C. Geer, a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Phenix has always been a stanch democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has been honored by election to a number of local offices, having served as street commissioner of Bradford for a year, as pathmaster in Penn Township for one year and as road commissioner of Osceola Township for fifteen years. He was the leading spirit in the organization of school district No. 9, furnished the lumber for the schoolhouse and put up the building and for a number of years served as director. He has always been willing to give of his time and thought and also of his means of the advancement of community interests and his public spirit is recognized by all who know him. When he came here as a child there was only one small house between Peoria and Wyoming, only three small stores in the former place and but two houses in the latter town. He is entitled to high honor as one of the courageous and farsighted pioneers whose work has made possible the present high state of development of the county, and his fellow citizens justly hold him in the highest esteem and the warmest regard. He has reaped the reward of his labors and has gained a large measure of wealth but he takes grater satisfaction in the knowledge that his success has not been gained as the result of the failure of another, as has always been strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings. He is now eighty-six years of age and is still active and interested in the affairs of the day.
Abram Phenix Married Esther Caroline Geer Moore on 07 Sep 1851 in Stark County, Illinois.
Stark County, Illinois and its People: A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, published 1916, B. 230-233
Abram Phenix
Abram Phenix, who is living in honorable retirement from active life in Bradford after many years of well directed activity, has been a resident of Stark County for seventy-nine years, and he and his brother Harmon are probably its oldest settlers. He was born Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of December, 1829, and is a son of John T. and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix. The father was born in New York State, as were his parents, the family have been established in New York by his grandfather and great-uncle, who removed to New York city from Ireland as young men. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Phenix, was born in that city and learned the weaver's trade from his father.
Abram Phenix was but seven years old when he was brought by his mother to this county, and he remembers vividly the pioneer conditions that prevailed her during his boyhood day. He had practically no educational opportunities as he was compelled to help with the farm work as soon as he was large enough to guide a plow, but he utilized his evenings in private study, reading by the light from the fireplace or from a tallow candle. He remembers when much of the land in the county was wild prairie and he himself broke considerable land with an ox team. All of the implements which he used in farming in those days were crude compared with the complicated farm machinery of today. The responsibility of the cultivation of the land developed mainly upon him as his father and older brother, Daniel, devoted their time to the carpenter's trade. After the crops were harvested it was difficult to market them as there were no bridges over the streams as no railroads had yet been built through the county and it was necessary to make long hauls in order to dispose of the grain raised. There were a number of wolves still left in this locality and the region abounded in game, including deer and wild turkey, and a good hunter never lacked meat for his table.
A year after marriage Mr. Phenix began farming on his own account, purchasing forty acres of raw land for fifty dollars. Having no money, he paid for his land by splitting rail, and his first residence was a cabin fourteen by sixteen feet in dimension. He brought his land under cultivation, and the following year bought the adjoining eighty acres for which he paid eight hundred dollars, the difference in the purchase price indication the rapid rise in land values. As his capital consisted of only one hundred dollars he was compelled to borrow seven hundred dollars, for which he paid the exorbitant rate of fifteen per cent interest. After breaking his land he sowed it to wheat and in due time harvested a good crop. Subsequently he paid seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for thirty-six acres adjoining and still later bought forty acres for sixteen hundred dollars. As he prospered he erected a commodious and substantial house, a large barn and other necessary buildings, and in time his place became one of the best improved in the locality. He engaged in farming and stock raising until 1881, when he rented the farm and removed to Bradford, where he has since made his home. For nineteen years he and his brother Daniel engaged in the threshing business and during that time owned twenty-one different machines. They were well patronized not only in the county but in adjoining counties and derived a good income from that source. Abram Phenix at one time owned the greater part of the land on which Bradford now stands but has since sold it to advantage as town lots. Since coming to Bradford he has erected three residences there. He is one of the substantial men of his county and none begrudges him his prosperity, for it is the direct result of him unremitting industry, economy and sound judgement, and he has not only gained financial independence but has also contributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines.
Mr. Phenix was married in August, 1851, to Miss Esther C. Geer, a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Phenix has always been a stanch democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has been honored by election to a number of local offices, having served as street commissioner of Bradford for a year, as pathmaster in Penn Township for one year and as road commissioner of Osceola Township for fifteen years. He was the leading spirit in the organization of school district No. 9, furnished the lumber for the schoolhouse and put up the building and for a number of years served as director. He has always been willing to give of his time and thought and also of his means of the advancement of community interests and his public spirit is recognized by all who know him. When he came here as a child there was only one small house between Peoria and Wyoming, only three small stores in the former place and but two houses in the latter town. He is entitled to high honor as one of the courageous and farsighted pioneers whose work has made possible the present high state of development of the county, and his fellow citizens justly hold him in the highest esteem and the warmest regard. He has reaped the reward of his labors and has gained a large measure of wealth but he takes grater satisfaction in the knowledge that his success has not been gained as the result of the failure of another, as has always been strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings. He is now eighty-six years of age and is still active and interested in the affairs of the day.
Stark County, Illinois and its People: A record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, published 1916, B. 230-233
Abram Phenix
Abram Phenix, who is living in honorable retirement from active life in Bradford after many years of well directed activity, has been a resident of Stark County for seventy-nine years, and he and his brother Harmon are probably its oldest settlers. He was born Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, on the 25th of December, 1829, and is a son of John T. and Lydia (Daniels) Phenix. The father was born in New York State, as were his parents, the family have been established in New York by his grandfather and great-uncle, who removed to New York city from Ireland as young men. The grandfather of our subject, Stephen Phenix, was born in that city and learned the weaver's trade from his father.
Abram Phenix was but seven years old when he was brought by his mother to this county, and he remembers vividly the pioneer conditions that prevailed her during his boyhood day. He had practically no educational opportunities as he was compelled to help with the farm work as soon as he was large enough to guide a plow, but he utilized his evenings in private study, reading by the light from the fireplace or from a tallow candle. He remembers when much of the land in the county was wild prairie and he himself broke considerable land with an ox team. All of the implements which he used in farming in those days were crude compared with the complicated farm machinery of today. The responsibility of the cultivation of the land developed mainly upon him as his father and older brother, Daniel, devoted their time to the carpenter's trade. After the crops were harvested it was difficult to market them as there were no bridges over the streams as no railroads had yet been built through the county and it was necessary to make long hauls in order to dispose of the grain raised. There were a number of wolves still left in this locality and the region abounded in game, including deer and wild turkey, and a good hunter never lacked meat for his table.
A year after marriage Mr. Phenix began farming on his own account, purchasing forty acres of raw land for fifty dollars. Having no money, he paid for his land by splitting rail, and his first residence was a cabin fourteen by sixteen feet in dimension. He brought his land under cultivation, and the following year bought the adjoining eighty acres for which he paid eight hundred dollars, the difference in the purchase price indication the rapid rise in land values. As his capital consisted of only one hundred dollars he was compelled to borrow seven hundred dollars, for which he paid the exorbitant rate of fifteen per cent interest. After breaking his land he sowed it to wheat and in due time harvested a good crop. Subsequently he paid seven hundred and seventy-five dollars for thirty-six acres adjoining and still later bought forty acres for sixteen hundred dollars. As he prospered he erected a commodious and substantial house, a large barn and other necessary buildings, and in time his place became one of the best improved in the locality. He engaged in farming and stock raising until 1881, when he rented the farm and removed to Bradford, where he has since made his home. For nineteen years he and his brother Daniel engaged in the threshing business and during that time owned twenty-one different machines. They were well patronized not only in the county but in adjoining counties and derived a good income from that source. Abram Phenix at one time owned the greater part of the land on which Bradford now stands but has since sold it to advantage as town lots. Since coming to Bradford he has erected three residences there. He is one of the substantial men of his county and none begrudges him his prosperity, for it is the direct result of him unremitting industry, economy and sound judgement, and he has not only gained financial independence but has also contributed to the development of the county along agricultural lines.
Mr. Phenix was married in August, 1851, to Miss Esther C. Geer, a native of Connecticut.
Mr. Phenix has always been a stanch democrat and has taken an active part in public affairs. He has been honored by election to a number of local offices, having served as street commissioner of Bradford for a year, as pathmaster in Penn Township for one year and as road commissioner of Osceola Township for fifteen years. He was the leading spirit in the organization of school district No. 9, furnished the lumber for the schoolhouse and put up the building and for a number of years served as director. He has always been willing to give of his time and thought and also of his means of the advancement of community interests and his public spirit is recognized by all who know him. When he came here as a child there was only one small house between Peoria and Wyoming, only three small stores in the former place and but two houses in the latter town. He is entitled to high honor as one of the courageous and farsighted pioneers whose work has made possible the present high state of development of the county, and his fellow citizens justly hold him in the highest esteem and the warmest regard. He has reaped the reward of his labors and has gained a large measure of wealth but he takes grater satisfaction in the knowledge that his success has not been gained as the result of the failure of another, as has always been strictly honest and upright in all of his dealings. He is now eighty-six years of age and is still active and interested in the affairs of the day.
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