Biography - Samuel K. Barlow
SAMUEL K. BARLOW, a successful farmer, residing on section 13, Lynn
Township, where he owns a good farm of 128 acres of rich and productive
land, was born in Lynn Township, April 13, 1846. Mr. Barlow, in addition to
the raising of the cereals, is engaged to no inconsiderable extent in stock
breeding, and in the latter department of his vocation is meeting with
excellent success.
The father of our subject, Nathan Barlow, deceased, was an early settler in
this county, and experienced all the trials incident to the establishment of
a home and the cultivation of a farm in a new and sparsely-settled country.
Samuel Barlow was educated in the public schools and lived at home,
assisting in the cultivation of the farm, until his marriage. That event
occurred at the residence of the bride's parents Nov. 27, 1865, in Lynn
Township, and the lady of his choice was Miss Lavina E. Gross [the Illinois
Statewide Marriage Index lists a Samuel K. Barlow marrying a Lavinia E.
Gross in Knox County on November 27, 1864], daughter of Freeman Gross, whose
biography is given elsewhere in this work. Mrs. Barlow was born in
Fredericksburg, Pa., June 23, 1845. She was the oldest but one of her
mother's children, and the oldest of two now living. Mrs. Barlow was
educated after the removal of her parents to Lynn Township, being at that
time but nine years of age, and lived with her parents until her marriage.
She has borne her husband eight children, four of whom are deceased. The
living are Fannie L., born Feb. 12, 1868; Freeman S., Aug. 1, 1872; Mollie
L., Jan. 28, 1874; and Blanche G., Aug. 5, 1880.
After the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Barlow they settled on the farm where
they are now living, and since that time Mr. B. has made wonderful
improvements on the place, and now has a good and productive farm. He and
his wife are members of the Baptist Church. In politics Mr. B. is a
Democrat. Their children who have passed to the land beyond were Helen L.,
aged 14 years; Jessie M., aged 4 years; Freddie G., 1 year; and an infant
son.
Contributed by Pat Thomas, extracted from the 1886 Portrait and Biographical Album of Knox County, Biographical Publishing Company, Chicago, page 596
