Aden Knoph, the well known president of the First National Bank, of
Olney, Illinois, was born in Lawrenceville, this state, December 18, 1843,
tne son of Thompson and Lucinda (Brunson) Knoph, a former resident of
Copenhagen, Denmark, where he was born. The latter was a native of Ohio.
The subject's father came to America in 1830 and engaged in the
mercantile business in Evansville, Indiana, operating a wholesale grocery in
1835, which was a large undertaking in those early days. In 1839 he located
at Lawrenceville, Illinois, and continued in the merchandise business. He
was one of the original pork packers of that place, having built up an
extensive business for that time, giving a market for most of the hogs
raised in Southern Illinois. He retired from the packing business in 1855.
In 1859 he located in Vincennes, Indiana, and engaged in the mercantile
business and in 1861 he came to Olney, Illinois, where he was engaged in
business until 1865 when he retired. He was successful in whatever he
undertook and was a man of many sterling traits of character that made him
influential wherever he went. He was called from his earthly labors in 1867,
at the age of sixty-seven years. His first wife died many years previous and
he re-married the sister of his first life companion, who passed away in
Washington before it was a state.
The subject's paternal grandfather
was bom on the day that Commodore Nelson bombarded the city of Copenhagen,
Denmark. When he was twelve years old he went to sea as cabin boy and as he
grew to manhood he worked his way up until he became master of the ship and
he made many long voyages to foreign lands and was several times around the
globe.
Aden Knoph, our subject, was reared in Lawrenceville,
Illinois. His educational advantages were limited owing to the reverses of
his father and the death of his mother shortly after his birth. When nine
years old he entered the store of his father to help with the work and he
stood on a box behind the counter when he measured goods. Yielding to his
patriotic spirit when the war between the states began, he tried to enlist,
but was rejected when he sought to become a private in the Eighth Regiment,
Illinois Volunteers. He was later rejected by the Fourteenth and
Twenty-fourth Indiana regiments. Still persistent lie finally enlisted in
the Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Infantry in January, 1864. This
regiment was first assigned to the Army of the Cumberland, later to the
Wilder Brigade. He served in a most gallant manner until the close of the
war, taking part in many closely contested engagements. In September, 1864,
Mr. Knoph was promoted to sergeant and on December 5, 1864 he was promoted
to adjutant of the regiment. He participated in all the battles in which
this regiment was engaged. He was wounded at Selma, Alabama, being shot
twice through the left leg; one of the bullets he carries today. He was
mustered out at the close of the war. July 7, 1865, at Nashville, Tennessee.
After the war our subject returned to Olney and entered the store of
his father, where he remained for about a year, when the business was closed
out on account of the failing health of the subject's father. Mr. Knoph then
turned his attention to the study of law, entering the law office of Hayward
& Kitchell, where he remained for one year, making rapid progress. Mr.
Kitchell was later colonel of the subject's old regiment. The father's
health now gave way and he met with financial reverses, so our subject began
clerking in the store to assist in supporting the large family, during the
year 1867-68. During the latter year he was elected Clerk of the Circuit
Court, and was twice re-elected, but he resigned at the close of the third
term, each term being of four years, after having given his constituents
entire satisfaction in the faithful discharge of his duties. He was a
Republican in a strong Democratic county, but his popularity was such with
all parties that he was chosen without serious opposition for this office.
Mr. Knoph assisted in the organization of the Olney Electric Light
Company, in 1887, and was its secretary and treasurer. He organized the
Olney Elevator Company and one of the largest and most complete elevators in
the southern part of the state was built, having a capacity of sixty
thousand bushels. Mr. Knoph afterwards became its sole owner.
Mr.
Knoph became traveling salesman in 1880, for the Cincinnati Wholesale Dry
Goods Company, giving his employers entire satisfaction and showing that he
had much native ability in this line of work.
In 1882 our subject
was elected president of the First National Bank, of Olney. The honor came
unsolicited and as a surprise. He quit the road and entered the bank and has
continued as its president ever since, with a most excellent record, having
built up the institution until it is regarded as one of the soundest
institutions in the southern part of the state. It was organized December 6,
1865, with a capital stock of one hundred thousand dollars, and its first
officers were: Henry Spring, president; Andrew Darling, cashier: the first
board of directors was William Newell, M. O. Kean, H. Hayward, J. H. Parker,
Jacob Kramer and Robert Byers. In 1877 on account of excessive taxation the
capital stock was reduced to fifty thousand dollars, at which it has since
stood. In December, 1885, the charter expired and was renewed. The bank
first occupied a small frame building in the east part of town, but it
prospered and went gradually forward and in a very few years became one of
the solid institutions of the state, being so recognized generally. It was
moved to its present splendid location several years ago and a modern block
was purchased in which to house it properly. It has the latest designs in
safety deposit boxes and all other necessary equipment. The deposits in 1908
are four hundred thousand dollars, loans and discounts two hundred and sixty
thousand dollars. The present officers are Aden Knoph, president; Deuel
Gould, vice president; John T. Ratcliff, cashier; Nellie Levering, assistant
cashier.
In 1878 our subject was a candidate for Supreme Clerk of
the Southern District of Illinois, embracing thirty-six counties, all
Democratic, but he was defeated. In 1894 Mr. Knoph made a tour through
Illinois with Major McKinley, being an original McKinley man. At the request
of Mr. McKinley our subject became the candidate for delegate to the
national convention from this district. After the election he received a
letter from President McKinley, asking him to call at the White House when
convenient, for he desired to thank Mr. Knoph for his interest in the
election. This he did later, and lunched with the President. He prizes
McKinley's letter very highly. In 1898 Governor Tanner, who was in the
subject's old regiment and a personal friend, sent a message to the subject
asking him to organize a regiment for the Spanish-American war, which
resulted in his organizing the Nineteenth District Volunteer Infantry, and
Mr. Knoph was elected colonel of the same, but it was not called on to go to
the front, although it became well drilled and everything was in readiness
due to the subject's untiring interest in the same.
Mr. Knoph's
domestic life began July 1, 1869, when he was united in marriage with
Carliette Morehouse, a native of Richland county, the daughter of O. B. and
Mary (Elliott) Morehouse, natives of Connecticut. The Morehouse family was
among the first settlers in Richland county, which then included a large
territory. The father of Mrs. Knoph was the first white child born in the
county. He was a farmer and later a merchant of Olney. He and his wife are
now living retired.
The home of Mr. and Mrs. Knoph has been blessed
with the birth of three children, namely: Ada died at the age of twenty-two
years; Edward, who married Mary Clutter, resides in Freeport, Illinois,
being conductor on the Illinois Central Railway, and Maud married Edgar P.
Cochennour, and they reside in Pratt, Kansas. Her husband is a conductor on
the Rock Island Railway.
In his fraternal relations our subject is a
member of the Masonic Order, being past eminent commander of the Templars.
He is also a member of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, and
belongs to several fraternal insurance societies. He is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal church, while his wife beongs to the Episcopalian
church.
Mr. Knoph has always been in the public eye and his friends
have often sought him for various public offices. At their solicitation he
was a candidate for nomination for State Treasurer in 1904, and although he
received a large vote in the convention, he failed.
The home of Mr.
Knoph is a modern and imposing one. His private library is next to the
largest in Olney, consisting of many choice and carefully selected volumes.
Because of his genuine worth, his past record of usefulness and honor, his
honesty of purpose and his friendly disposition, Mr. Knoph is held in high
esteem by all who know him, and is regarded as one of the foremost citizens
of the county.
Extracted 21 May 2019 by Norma Hass from 1909 Biographical and Reminiscent History of Richland, Clay and Marion Counties, Illinois, pages 494-497.
| Jasper | Crawford | |
| Clay |
 |
Lawrence |
| Wayne | Edwards | Wabash |
