Milton S. Gore, one of the leading farmers of Winslow Township, was born Jan. 24, 1847, in the same neighborhood where he now resides. His father, Charles A. Gore, was born in Bradford County PA in 1816, he being the son of Avery Gore, an old settler of that county, who first located on the Susquehanna River, where he conducted a farm.
Charles A. Gore, the father of the subject of this sketch, remained in his native State until he arrived at the age of manhood, when he sought a home in the West, locating in Winslow Twp., Stephenson County. He first served an apprenticeship to a cabinet-maker, and followed that vocation for four or five years. He then went to Winslow Twp. where he entered some land and became a tiller of the soil. He erected a farm house after the fashion of the rude cabins of the day, and applied himself to clearing up the farm. He resided here until the date of his death,which occurred on the 18th of Feb. 1856. He was married, Nov. 30, 1843 to Miss Eliza Ballenger, born in Sciota County, Ohio, Oct. 18, 1825, and daughter of Rev. Asa Ballenger. The childreno f Charles A. and Ann Eliza Gore were five in number, as follows; Lucy A. who was the wife of A.K. Stikes, now deceased; Milton S., the subject of this sketch; Floretta, the wife of Jacob Knepley, residing in Cook County; Ella, the wife of John McDaniel living in Oneco Twp.; Edith, wife of James Eells. Mrs. Ann Eliza Gore now resides iwth her daughter, Mrs. Eells.
Rev. Asa Ballenger, the father of Mrs. Charles A. Gore, and grandfahter of Milton S., was a man of noted character in his day. He was born in KY, but became one of the pioneers of Sciota County OH, where he remained some time, dividing his time between dissemination of the Gospel according to teh Methodist belief, and the cultivation of a small farm. From time to time he made trips throughout the West, and visiting Stephenson County he was so much pleased with the country that he determined to leave Ohio and locate in IL. To that end he disposed of his farm, and procuring a four-horse team and a wagon he loaded up his numerous family and small effects and started on his journey. Reaching Newort, Ind., which lies on the Ohio River, he found that he could reach Galena by boat, and so, disposing of his horses and wagon, he proceeded down the Wabash and the Ohio to Cairo, and thence up the river to Galena, where he employed a teamster to convey his family and effects to Winslow Twp., Stephenson County. Here he settled, building a log house and improving his land for a number of years, when he exchanged his farm for another near the village, in which location he remained until his death. The maiden name of his wife was Amanda Shaw, a native of Ohio, and of Dutch descent. She died on the homestead in Winslow a few years since. Rev. Mr. Ballenger was one of the earliest Methodist ministers who located in Stephenson County. He was a man of sterling piety, and from time to time he would go about to the primitive school-houses and address the people, preaching the Gospel without money and without price. Being popular with all classes he was called upon by a very great many of the early settlers of Stephenson County to perform the marriage ceremony; and notwithstanding the fact that he was a farmer and minister, he frequently found time to do his own marketing at Galena with ayoke of oxen.
Milton S. Gore was brought up on the farm and educated in the district schools. He remained with his parents and assisted his father in supporting the family until he had arrived at the age of 23, when he located on the old homestead and there remained four years. He then went to Green County Wisc., having bought land in Cadiz Twp., where he passed the next ten years. He next bought a farm consisting of 110 acres of prairie and ten acres of timber, the latter lying in Cadiz Twp. in Green County, which he has highly improved. He was married in December, 1869 to Miss mary Wakerly, who was born in PA being the daughter of John & Elizabeth Wakerly. Mr. and Mrs. Milton S. Gore have a very interesting family of two intelligent children, Johnnie A. and Llewellyn A. They have a beautiful home, and are well respected by their acquaintances and neighbors. Mr. and Mrs. Gore are leading members of the United Brethren Church, while in politics, Mr. Gore adheres to the old Democratic faith.
Contributed by Al Morgan / Transcribed by Christine Walters
Portrait and Biographical Album of Stephenson County, Illinois Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1888 Pg. 717