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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County
Biographical Publishing Co., Chicago, 1890

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The Biography of Noah R. KNOWLES 

Page 202, transcribed in full by Danni Hopkins 

[Surnames: COOPER, KNOWLES, PHILLIPS, PORTER, TURNER] 

    
NOAH R. KNOWLES, who is engaged in farming and stock-raising on section 15, Pleasant Township, where he owns a good farm, is a veteran of the late war. He was born in Sussex County, Del., April 19, 1841, to William W. and Elizabeth (Phillips) Knowles, natives respectively of Delaware and Maryland. 
    
Mr. and Mrs. Knowles removed to Somerset County, Md. when their son, Noah, of whom we write, was ten or twelve years old, and there they lived a number of years. They subsequently removed to Dorchester County, that State and remained there till the fall of 1860, when they came to Illinois and took up their residence in Fulton County. In 1865 the parents removed to Nebraska, where they are living at the present time. Their wedded life has been blessed to them by the birth of seven children, of whom five survive, namely: Noah R.; George W., a resident of Johnson County, Neb.; Angeline, wife of John Turner of Nebraska; S. T. T. who makes his home in Missouri; and Sena, wife of James Turner of Nebraska. 
    
Our subject had but limited educational advantages in the common schools of Maryland and Delaware, but he made the best of them. After coming to Fulton County he worked on a farm by the month for G. C. Cooper, receiving in payment for his labor $10 a month and his board, continuing thus employed for about three years. In March, 1864 he enlisted in Company H., Twenty-eighth Illinois Infantry, and bore an honorable part in the war. He was with his regiment at the siege of Spanish Fort, and he fought in many minor skirmishes, besides doing much scouting and provost duty. He served principally in Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana and Alabama and gave proof of excellent soldierly qualities. While in the army his eyesight was much injured owing to exposure and he suffered all the hardships and privations incidental to life on the battlefield. He was honorably discharged in March, 1866 in Texas, where he was doing guard duty, and he was mustered out at Springfield the following April. The value of his services during the time he was in the army have been recognized by the Government which grants him a pension of $16 a month. 
    
Since the war our subject has given his attention to farming, and in the spring of 1879 settled on his present farm on section 15, Pleasant Township. Here he has eighty acres of land which is fenced into convenient fields, is admirably tilled and is provided with all the necessary buildings and good farming machinery. Mr. Knowles enjoys the esteem and confidence of his fellow-citizens, as his conduct in all the affairs of life has ever been honorable and upright. In his political views he is a sound Republican. Socially, he is connected with the Grand Army, being a member of the Post at Ipava. Though he does not belong to any church he contributes liberally to the support of religious causes. 
    
The marriage of our subject to Miss Irena Cooper was celebrated in January, 1867, and has been productive of much happiness to both. To them have been born two children, Cora, wife of Elmer porter, of this place, and one child who died in infancy. Mrs. Knowles is a daughter of Levin Cooper, whose biography appears elsewhere in this volume.