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1881 HISTORY OF SANGAMON COUNTY, ILLINOIS
Inter-State Publishing Company
Chicago, Illinois, 1881






Page 770

REV. WILEY KNOWLES, B.S. , Auburn, Illinois, was born in Gibson county, Indiana, August 17, 1835. The sixth year of his life found him in a little log school house, puncheon floor and slab seats. In the fall of '48 his parents moved to Menard county, Illinois; from this time forward his opportunities for school were limited. He professed religion in 1850, and being impressed with the duty of preaching, presented himself to Sangamon Presbytery. Being licensed by said Presbytery, was assigned the Apple Creek Circuit, and proved himself an efficient worker in his Master's cause. Many amusing incidents attended his labors. On his first visit to the several congregations, many would keep looking for the preacher, not expecting the strange, awkward-looking boy, to be the man. In the autumn of 1860, entered the High School at Owensville. November 12, 1861, was mustered into the United States Army - Fifty-eighth Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. Was at the battles of Shiloh, Perryville, Stone River and others. At the terrible battle of Stone River, he was wounded in both hands, while nobly defending the cause of freedom. April 22, 1863, was honorably discharged, and entered again upon ministerial labor. December 1, 1864, was joined in marriage to Miss Anna Ripson, Was ordained and continued three years, when he found his health failing. Retiring for a time, concluded to enter Lincoln University, the winter term of 1868. He continued an earnest and successful student, graduating with the class of 1872. He grasped readily the truths of science, and made, practically, a fund of knowledge. He was a leader in the Athenian Society, and was often assigned parts of honor and trust. Since graduation, he has been actively engaged in the interest of souls. Mr. Knowles is a pleasant and logical speaker, and truly zealous in his Master's cause, and great good will attend his labors.


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