Champaign County, Illinois - The whole text, 1918 (part 17 of 23)

Mr. M. H. Argo has spent a busy and energetic life, one of practical success as a farmer and stock raiser. His neighbors look upon him as a genius in the matter of raising hogs. He has raised and fed much livestock for the Indianapolis market. About twenty years ago he and his wife left their farm and located in the village of St. Joseph, where in order to keep in close touch with the country as well as the town they selected a home on the edge of the village. Here they enjoy the comforts of a very attractive residence. Mr. and Mrs. Argo are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of the village, and its stone and brick edifice is a monument to the liberality of the people of that community and a beacon light in the lives of many. Mr. Argo served as school director a number of years, and has done everything he could to help forward the development of the country and its institutions and people. Through all his successful career his good wife has stood by his side, apt in counsel and advice, and always a true homemaker. She is one of the charming and interesting women of the community and her sincerity is in pleasing evidence when she bids a stranger good-bye, always adding the kindly injunction/ "be good to yourself and everybody else." In politics Mr. Argo is an ardent Republican. He has kept in close touch with that party for over forty years, and believes that America's great destiny is largely due to this political organization.

CHARLES W. REED is a farmer and successful stockman with home in section 16 of Philo Township. His rural mail delivery comes from Tolono on Route No. 48.

Mr. Reed was born in Marshall County, Illinois, March 11, 1869, son of John Caldwell and Mary (Bell) Reed. Both parents were born in Virginia and in early life moved to Illinois. In 1879 John C. Reed came to Champaign County, locating on the farm in section 16 of Philo Township where his son Charles now resides. Both parents are now deceased. Their five children were named : Charles W. ; Henry K., deceased; Mary Bell, wife of Professor E. H. Wells, of the University of Nebraska; John, of Ligonier, Indiana; and James, of Philo Township.

Charles W. Reed grew up and received his education in Champaign County and at his father's death took charge of the farm for three years. He then went to Lincoln, Nebraska, bought eighty acres in that part of the state, but after a year went to Denver and in the fall of the same year returned to Philo, Illinois. In the spring of 1906 he entered upon his duties as manager of the old homestead of 160 acres, and has steadily and profitably directed the operations of that fine farm for over ten years. He raises the staple crops and also handles good live stock.

On December 24, 1895, Mr. Reed married Miss Abbie Jane Huhn. Mrs. Reed was born in Maryland. They have one son, John Ralph, a volunteer member of Battery B, Third Illinois Artillery. Mr. Reed is a Republican in politics.

MARTIN KAUCHER BUSEY, cashier of the Mahomet Bank, is another member of that well known family in Champaign County which from pioneer times has been identified with the important work of developing the land and the business and financial affairs of this rich section of Illinois.

The wise and judicious management of the financial resources of the county was never more important than at the present time, and among the bankers of Champaign County Mr. Busey is entitled to special consideration because of his long and efficient service with one institution since early youth.

Mr. Busey was born in this county April 20, 1884. He is the oldest of the seven children, five sons and two daughters, of James B. and Katherine (Kaucher) Busey. The name Busey is of French descent, while that of Kaucher is German in, origin. James B. Busey is also a native of Champaign County, born in 1856, and is now living retired at Urbana, though still president of the Mahomet Bank. He was educated only in the common schools, and the larger part of his active career was spent as a practical farmer in Newcomb Township. In 1902 he retired from farming and then bought the Mahomet Bank, of which he is sole owner and president. Like others of the name, his career has been one of substantial success and of great influence in the development of Champaign county agriculture and financial and business affairs. At one time he was one of the largest land holders in Newcomb Township. Politically he is a Democrat, and for many years has given substantial support to the educational institutions of the county. His wife, who was born in Champaign County in 1861, was well educated and was a successful teacher in the city schools of Urbana before her marriage. Both she and her husband are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.

All their children are living except one. Simeon H., the second in age, is cashier of the First State Trust & Savings Bank of Urbana. He was educated in the common schools, in the University of Illinois, and is a graduate of Brown's Business College. He is married, is a Democrat in politics, and is affiliated with the Elks Lodge at Champaign. Frances, the . oldest daughter, completed her education in the University of Illinois and is still at home with her parents. Josephine graduated from the State University with the class of 1917. Matthew W., who is assistant cashier of the Mahomet Bank, was well educated, completing his course in Brown's Business College, and was also a student in the Urbana High School. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity. Donald is the youngest of the family.

Martin K. Busey grew up in his home county, and after the public schools entered the State University and subsequently graduated from Brown's Business College. He entered an active business career at the age of eighteen. At that time, in 1902, he became cashier of his father's bank at Mahomet, and has steadily looked after the management of that institution for fifteen years, his ability as a financier growing steadily with his experience. He is a thorough business man, but also possesses that cordial and genial manner which gives him the esteem of all patrons of the bank and influential associations with the leading men of the state.

On June 22, 1909, Mr. Busey married Miss Raye Grant Hanley. Mrs. Busey is a daughter of Thomas R. and Maggie G. (Dodson) Hanley, both now deceased. She was liberally educated, graduating from the School of Oratory in the Illinois Wesleyan University at Bloomington, and also in instrumental music in the conservatory of music of that college. For several years before her marriage she lived in Chicago, and still retains her membership in a Presbyterian Church of that city. She is active in the Domestic Science Club of Mahomet.

Mr. Busey served two years as tax collector of Mahomet Township, and for the past four years has been village treasurer. He is affiliated with the Masonic Lodge at Mahomet and with the Royal Arch Chapter and the Knights Templar Commandery No. 68 at Champaign, is also affiliated with Lodge No. 529 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Mahomet, and with the local camp of the Modern Woodmen of America. Mr. and Mrs. Busey have one of the beautiful homes of Mahomet, and it is widely known for the cordial hospitality that prevails within its doors. Mr. and Mrs. Busey have traveled widely, and in 1909 made an extensive tour of Canada and the northeastern states, including Montreal, Buffalo, Niagara Falls, Detroit and other principal cities.

JOHN W. BOCOCK, a retired business man at Sidney, has had an unusual range of experience varying from that of an old time telegraph operator to a cotton planter and farmer. Much of his active career has been passed in Champaign County but his business acquaintance is widely extended.

Mr. Bocock was born near Washington Courthouse in Fayette County, Ohio, December 20, 1849. His parents were Elijah and Louisa (Gregory) Bocock, both natives of Ohio. His father came to Sidney and Champaign County October 12, 1856, and identified himself with the pioneer element in this county as a farmer. He did not live long after coming, his death occurring July 4, 1864, in the village of Sidney. There were four children : Nancy Maria, who died June 3, 1862 ; Martha Jane, who died October 16, 1864; Belle, widow of J. S. Frantz and living at Danville, Illinois; and John W.

John W. Bocock was fifteen years old when his father died. His mother and two sisters being left upon their own resources it was necessary for the only son to put forth his efforts in assisting to support the family. His sister Belle did likewise but Martha Jane was ill and able to do but little. In June, 1866, the mother married Paul Laybourn, of Sidney, and John W. Bocock and his sister went to the new home in that village, Belle remaining until she married a few months later, while John W. was part of the family circle until the spring of 1870.

Paul Laybourn by his marriage to Mrs. Louisa Bocock had one child; Roberta, now Mrs. R. L. Thomas, of Detroit, Michigan. Paul Laybourn died in March, 1872. Mr. Bocock's mother, left twice a widow, survived to the good old age of seventy-eight, passing away March 24, 1901.

Even before his father's death, as early as 1863, John W. Bocock contributed in a measure to his own support by clerking in a grocery store owned by John Upp of Sidney. Later he did similar service in the grocery store of T. J. Youngblood & Company, in which his parents had a small interest. On April 1, 1870, he entered the store of Henry Coffeen at Homer, Illinois, his position on the payroll being at ten dollars per month. Three months later he went to Lafayette, Indiana, and spent some time peddling goods from a wagon throughout the country district. Returning to Homer, he worked for M. D. Coffeen in a general store until May 1, 1871. His next experience was at Chicago, where in Porter's National Telegraph College he was a student three months. In those days of his early career his means were very limited, consequently with three other young men he did the janitor work of the office and college hall for his room rent. This gave him free access to the instruments out of school hours and this opportunity was utilized late and early.

After three months Mr. Bocock secured his certificate for capability in sending thirty words and receiving twenty-five words per minute. Returning to Champaign County he entered the office of John Shutts, agent and operator for the Toledo, Wabash & Western Railway at Philo, in the capacity of a cub, and remained there until February 22, 1872, when he was assigned to the night office at Catlin, Illinois, and ten months later was transferred to the night office at Homer. He was finally advanced to day operator and continued handling the telegraph key there until December 22, 1874, when he was given the joint position of agent and operator at Philo. On March 1, 1881, he resigned his position, thus closing his railroad and telegraph service. During these years of employment as an operator Mr. Bocock taught nine young men the art of the Morse system, and all of them did good work for themselves and their employers. Two of these young men have since risen to places of eminence in the railroad world. One is Mr. H. A. Boomer, now general manager of the Lake Erie and Western Eailway, with headquarters at Indianapolis. Another is S. A. Hess, of Decatur, traveling passenger agent of the Wabash Eailway.

On giving up railroad work Mr. Bocock came to Sidney and bought the old park elevator. He remained in the grain business there until the following winter, when he sold out, and on April 1, 1882, engaged in the general merchandising business at Sidney with his father-in-law, under the firm name of Fisher & Bocock. That firm continued for five years. The stock of merchandise was then traded for land in Coffey County, Kansas. It is only fair to say that Kansas land proved to be a poor investment and after a few years was disposed of at a discount. After the closing out of the general country store Mr. Bocock was associated with Winston's Bank for three years in the capacity of bookkeeper and cashier. Then with A. C. Woody he engaged in the wholesale confectionery and fruit business at Decatur, Illinois, for one year when they moved the business to Champaign. On February 7, 1893, the whole plant was destroyed by fire.

In 1896, when J. S. McCullough was elected auditor of public accounts, Mr. Bocock was chairman of the County Board of Supervisors while Mr. McCullough was county clerk. Hence they were closely associated in county affairs. Without any solicitations the newly elected auditor tendered an appointment to Mr. Bocock as state inspector of building and loan associations. This was. accepted and in January, 1897 he was assigned work in Chicago. Just at that time there was much trouble among the building and loan associations and Mr. Bocock, together with Inspector C. B. Phaler, did a valuable work in putting Chicago associations in a more prosperous condition. For some of the associations he acted as custodian and otherwise entered vitally into the management and rehabilitation of the concerns. After a few years in building and loan association work Mr. Bocock was transferred to the banking department of the auditor in the capacity of bank examiner, serving the state altogether ten years in these two positions.

On July 1, 1900, Mr. Bocock was one of the four men who organized the Cotton Exchange Bank at Cleveland, Mississippi. Having acquired some interests in the south he gravitated naturally into real estate investments and with Mr. G. D. Boone bought a cotton plantation adjoining the town of Cleveland, consisting of 1,003 acres. They took title on March 1, 1904. For six years they continued as extensive cotton growers, Mr. Bocoek spending much of his time on the plantation. He then bought out the interest of his partner and continued the operation of the planta- . tion alone until 1912, when he sold out.

On September 1, 1912, Mr. Bocock bought the Nel?on Sampson farm of 170 acres in Sidney Township and he still owns that property, and he and his wife jointly own the A. P. Coffeen farm. While he thus owns some of the best situated and most valuable farm lands of this part of Champaign County he has been practically retired from active business for several years.

marriage: Oral F., wife of E. J. Lehman, of Sidney; Jennie L., wife of W. C. Rice, of Fairmount, Illinois; and Mattie Fay, who died February 15, 1888.

In the spring of 1874, while he was working as a telegraph operator, Mr. Bocock bought a small residence property in Homer. This was the initial step toward making a home and he partly furnished it before his marriage. The newly wedded couple began housekeeping September 25th of the same year and on the 22nd of December following he took up his new work at Philo, as before stated. In 1877 he traded the Homer property in on 152 acres of land in Philo Township, getting a fair price for the town property and taking the land at a little less than $25 per acre. About 1883 he sold this land for $41.65 an acre on ten years time. Less than five years later he offered to buy it back at $75 an acre, but the owner refused to part with it.

In 1880 Martin Fisher settled upon each of his four children 160 acres of land, Mrs. Bocock receiving the northwest quarter of section 7, township 18, range 10 east, a tract which she still owns. At the death of her father by mutual consent of the heirs she received as her portion of her father's landed interest in Sidney Township the undivided onehalf of the A. P. Coffeen farm, which had been acquired by the firm of Fisher & Bocock. In 1899 Mr. Bocock bought from A. M. Coffeen the west half of the northeast quarter of section 23, township 18, range 10 east for $75 per acre in cash. In 1904 he and his wife deeded this eighty acres to their two daughters. As already noted, on returning to Sidney in 1881 Mr. Bocock bought the residence property he now occupies and which has been the home of the family during all the passing years.

In matters of politics Mr. Bocock is a Republican. He has long been identified with public affairs in his home locality and county, has been president of the village board, a school director, member of the county board, and for several years acted as chairman of the county board.

HENRY M. BROWNFIELD is one of the old timers of Champaign County and has had his home in this region since early childhood and for a period of more than sixty years. The honor and respect due him are the result not only of long residence, painstaking work and management as a practical farmer, but also to his most creditable record as a soldier in the Union Army during the Civil War.

Mr. Brownfield is a native of Missouri, having been born in Shelby County, October 15, 1842. His parents, John R. and Susan (Mullens) Brownfield, were both natives of Kentucky, and were pioneers in northeastern Missouri, where they married. In 1851 the family came to Illinois and settled eight miles north of Urbana.

Henry M. Brownfield was one of seven children. He obtained his early education by attending an old log school house on the prairie, known as the Peters' school. He had barely finished his lessons when the war cloud arose, and in the exciting times of 1861, when every youth responded to the call of patriotism, he enlisted at Homer, and was sent to Hannibal, Missouri, where on October 1, 1861, two weeks before his nineteenth birthday, he was sworn into the service of the United States. He remained performing camp duty at Hannibal from October to the following February. Mr. Brownfield was a member of Company F of the Twenty-sixth Illinois Infantry.

He was in active service almost continuously throughout the four years of the war. His first service was with Pope's expedition down the Mississippi River to Island No. 10. He and his comrades fought at New Madrid, Missouri, had a skirmish at Point Pleasant, and were in the Missouri campaign from March 6, to April 6, 1862. Crossing the Mississippi, they cap- tured Rebel prisoners at Island No. 10, and then at New Madrid they took a boat and went to Corinth, landing above Shiloh. They fought at Farmington, near Corinth, and took part in the siege of that Mississippi city. They next followed General Price down to Ripley, returned to Camp Clear Creek, and then had a part in the great battle at luka, Mississippi, where the Union troops won the day. The Union forces there were under the command of General Rosecrans and 400 of the Union command were killed. They fought Price's command two days at Corinth, on October 3 and 4, 1862, and then followed the retreating Confederates for two days from Corinth. Price made a turn and came back and struck General Hulbert, soon again in retreat, and the Illinois troops captured all his camp equipment. The command in which Mr. Brownfield was a member then returned to Corinth, and soon took up the Vicksburg campaign. Here under Sherman Mr. Brownfield was in some of the notable exploits of the campaign. He was on the transports convoyed down the Mississippi by Porter's fleet, running past the batteries at Vicksburg, down to the mouth of the Yazoo River and up that stream to Snyder's Bluff. Here they were in camp until Pemberton surrendered Vicksburg to Grant. They next took part in the sixteen days' siege of Jackson, returning to Vicksburg and taking boat for Memphis, and from there went east in the campaign involving the battles of Lookout Mountain and Chattanooga. He was in the battle of Missionary Ridge and was then part of the expedition sent to relieve the besieged Knoxville. After that the troops returned to Chattanooga and from there to Colliersville. On January 4, 1864, Mr. Brownfield re-enlisted for the three years or during the war. He had had a long and arduous experience, but was not yet satisfied, and determined to see the war victoriously completed. At his re-enlistment he and his comrades were given a thirty days' furlough and he spent that time pleasantly visiting his Illinois home. He rejoined his command at Colliersville, and was then on the march to the sea with Sherman. Many times he sang the famous sons which celebrated that march, and it is the testimony of Mr. Brownfield that it was much easier to sing it than make the march itself. He fought at Kingston, and at Dallas, Georgia, on May 28th was wounded in the shoulder and jaw and was sent to a hospital. He was given a furlough July 12th, and again went home for thirty days. In November, 1864, he tried to rejoin his command, but got only as far as Chattanooga, where he spent the winter. He was then sent to Nashville, and took boat up the Ohio River. The boat stuck in the ice and the troops were taken off and transported by railroad through Cincinnati to Pittsburgh, to Harrisburg, to Annapolis, Maryland, and there conveyed down the bay and around the sea past Cape Henry and Cape Hatteras, where the vessel encountered a severe gale and he suffered the inclemencies of the rough sea for four days and four nights. The troops were finally landed at Morehead City, North Carolina, fought at Newbern and near Raleigh, and were clearing that district of the remnants of the Confederate Army when peace was declared and the glad tidings of Lee's surrender were hailed with joy by all the weary soldiers, particularly Mr. Brownfield, who had been out for nearly four years.

During one of his furloughs he had married Miss Elizabeth McClughen. Mrs. Brownfield was born in St. Joseph Township of Champaign County, a daughter of Robertson and Jane (McCammon) McClughen. Her parents were natives of Ohio, and had come to Illinois when quite young and were married in Champaign County. Elizabeth McClughen was one of nine children and she received her early advantages with her brothers and sisters in an old log cabin school house.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield settled in Urbana. Ten children were born to them, named Oscar M., Clara lona, Susan Orpha, Charles, George, Eosa, Freddie, Grace, Simeon and Jane. Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield gave their children all possible advantages and sent them to the Pleasant Grove school. Again and again have these worthy people experienced the sorrows of mortal life, and one by one they laid their children to rest, until only one now survives. This is the youngest daughter, Jane. She was liberally educated and was a successful school teacher in Champaign County, as was also her husband. She married Norton Mahorney. They have one child, Corrinne Elizabeth, born June 27, 1917, the only grandchild of Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield, and the delight of the entire family.

Mr. and Mrs. Brownfield enjoy a comfortable home in St. Joseph Township, and while the years have brought them many sorrows they have also brought them the satisfaction of efforts extended and the results of fruitful toil. Both are active members of the Christian Church, and in politics Mr. Brownfield is a Eepublican. He served as constable four years and has always done his part in community affairs.

ISAAC DIVAN when a small boy fought for the preservation of the Union, some years later came to this part of Illinois, built a home and developed a farm, and for the past nine years has enjoyed the comforts of retirement in his pleasant and attractive home at Ogden.

Mr. Divan was born in Licking County, Ohio, September 26, 1848, son of Jacob and Ellen (Jones) Divan. His father was a native of Pennsylvania. There were nine children, six daughters and three sons, in the family, all of whom received their education in the primitive district schools of Licking County. There were no such opportunities for an education open to the boys of that day as at present, and Mr. Divan recalls the scantily furnished log buildings in which he learned his early lessons. When he was seven years of age his father was killed by a falling tree and at an early age he had to assume responsibilities in advance of his years.

He was not yet thirteen when the war broke out between the North and the South, and as the war progressed he found himself unable to restrain his enthusiasm and passion for his country, and with about eighteen other boys went to Newark, Ohio, and became members of Company L in the First Eegiment of United States Engineers. This regiment was sent to relieve some of the veteran troops whose time had expired. They recruited and disciplined at Todd's Barracks in Columbus, were sent to Chattanooga, did garrison duty and other work in Tennessee, and after five months of active service Mr. Divan was mustered out at Nashville, and received his honorable discharge.

In the meantime his mother and family had moved to Indiana, and he joined them at Logansport in Cass County. He was there two years, and in the. fall of 1867 his family made another stage in the western migration, moving from Cass County, Indiana, to Vermilion County, Illinois, and settling on a rented farm. Isaac had then to take active control of the farm, since his brothers and sisters had left home for themselves. His mother kept house for him from 1867 until his marriage in 1878.

At that date Mr. Divan laid the foundation of his own home by his marriage to Anna Eutledge. She was born near Danville, Illinois, daughter of William and Charlotte (McVicker) Eutledge, her father a native of Kentucky and her mother of Virginia. Both of them were brought to Illinois when children by their respective parents, and they grew up and married in Vermilion County.

acre. In that locality he kept his home for seven years, when he came to Champaign County and has since been a resident of Ogden Township. In the Vermilion County location he showed his best efforts as a farmer and the passing years brought him success until he had a finely developed farm of 100 acres. He had eighty acres in Vermilion County and 100 acres in Champaign County. He improved his land with good buildings and in other ways, and it stands as a monument to his work as a practical farmer.

Three children, two daughters and one son, were born to Mr. and Mrs. Divan, named Nellie, Walter and Stella Ellen. These children were educated in the Burr Oak School, while Walter studied in Urbana and in Brown's Business College. While in college he fell in love with one of his fellow students, Anna Arms, and they were married. His wife died in February, 1912. Walter is now connected with a clothing store at Champaign.

The daughter Stella E. married Fernie Clark, a farmer occupying the old Divan homestead. They have two children, Rexford Clark and Janice Virginia.

Nellie Divan married Warner Scott. Their one child, Goldie Leone, is now Mrs. Clyde Harry of Ogden. Goldie was a student of Olivet College near Danville. The daughter Nellie was a young woman of splendid intellect and many fine qualities of character. She suffered poor health, spent some time with her family in the healthful climate of Arizona to no avail, and finally contracted pneumonia and died September 23, 1907. Her little daughter was taken into the home of her grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Divan, and carefully reared and educated.

Mr. and Mrs. Divan have a very attractive and nicely located home just at the edge of the town of Ogden, where the advantages of the country are combined with the facilities and conveniences of town. This home was called the John Lee homestead. Since it came under the ownership of Mr. Divan he has made many improvements that add to its value and comfort. Mr. and Mrs. Divan are active members of the United Brethren Church and he served it as steward eight years. Politically he is a Republican, having cast his first vote with that party for General Grant nearly fifty years ago, and has never had a valid reason to change his party affiliation.

PEARL M. HOLLINGSWOB.TH. A newspaper which has had a fine and vitalizing influence in its community is the Fisher News, of which Mr. Hollingsworth is editor and proprietor. This publisher and editor is a journalist from the ground up, had his first acquaintance with the printing trade when a boy and has done much to develop the power of the press in this section of Champaign County and has made his paper indispensable to business men, farmers and citizens generally.

Mr. Hollingsworth is a native of Vermilion County, Illinois, where he was born December 20, 1890. He is the youngest of three children, two sons and one daughter, born to Henry and Anna (Martin) Hollingsworth. The daughter, Delia L., is the wife of Howard Barnes, a well known evangelist living in Waukesha County, Wisconsin. The older son, Charles T., is a very successful evangelist and now ranks among the first in that profession in America. During the great revival which moved the country of Wales from center to circumference he was an active worker in that field.

The father of these children was born in Illinois, had a common school education, and is now living at Arrowsmith in McLean County. He is a blacksmith by trade. His lineage goes back to England. He was born about 1852, has always been an ardent Republican and is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows Lodge at Metcalf, Illinois, and belongs to the Modern Woodmen of America. His church is the Christian. His wife was born in Illinois, was educated in the common schools, and was a member of the Methodist Church.

Pearl Hollingsworth had his first experience in a printing shop as a printer's devil at the age of thirteen. Being without means to attend .school, he took this as a resource in order to pay his way and gain experience, which would prove valuable to him in later life. Throughout his career he has stood on the platform of honesty and integrity. His first experience as a printer was with the religious magazine Metropolitan Church Association. He was there three years, and after that he put in practice the modern idea of continuing vocational education by attending school half a day and working half a day. He also did a great deal of study in his room and has always applied himself earnestly to the mastery of the many subjects which are essential to a practical newspaper man.

About October, 1905, Mr. Hollingsworth found employment with the well known firm of R. R. Donnelley & Sons at Chicago. Though only fifteen years of age at the time he was soon made "lock up" and "stone man" and assistant superintendent of his department. Though one of the youngest in the establishment he had some very taxing responsibilities. He was with that firm sixteen months, and then returned to the Metropolitan Church Association, which was then published at Waukesha, Wisconsin. He became foreman in the composing room. This publication was one of the largest business concerns in Waukesha City. In October, 1907, Mr. Hollingsworth went to Detroit to become identified with a large firm of that city, but in the panic of 1907 nearly all the force was discharged and he among them. He continued a resident of Detroit until August, 1908, when he went back to Waukesha and was there about a year and in 1909 entered the service of the American Tag Company at Chicago. He was there about two years and for a time was with the printing firm of Rogers & Hall, where he remained until 1912. On account of illness Mr. Hollingsworth was then compelled to leave the confining duties of city life and he came to Fisher, Illinois, to recuperate. This town has been his home since 1912 except for the portion of a year he spent with the Rantoul News at Rantoul. On returning to Fisher he went to work with the Fisher Reporter, and remained there until the present paper, The Fisher News, was establishd on May 8, 1913. Mr. Hollingsworth secured the full support of all the merchants of Fisher, and through the cordial co-operation of his fellow citizens has made the Fisher News a power throughout the northwestern section of Champaign County. The News is a weekly publication, six column quarto, and would be a credit to any county in Illinois. The circulation is fully represented in the surrounding country. In the equipment is a fine Diamond press. The paper is published independent in politics.

Mr. Hollingsworth married June 4, 1914, Miss Edna B. Armstrong, daughter of J. B. and Anna (Boskill) Armstrong, who are now living at Fisher. Mrs. Hollingsworth was educated in the common schools of McLean County. She is an active member of the Christian Church of Fisher and belongs to the Domestic Science Club. Politically Mr. Hollingsworth has worked with and has been a factor in the Republican party. His first vote was given to Colonel Roosevelt for President. He is now serving as clerk of Brown Township. Fraternally he is active in Lodge No. 704 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fisher and belongs to the Camp of the Modern Woodmen of America at the same place. His church is the Christian denomination. Mr. Hollingsworth was one of the leading spirits in the organization of the Community Welfare Association and served as its secretary two years. This association is composed of merchants, business men and all members of the community in and around Fisher who are truly interested in and willing to work for those objects which can only be accomplished by community co-operation. The membership now includes about seventy. Mr. and Mrs. Hollingsworth stand very high in the estimation of all the people of Fisher and they have well earned a place of esteem in the locality.

MARION E. LEIGH, whose home is in the village of St. Joseph, has spent a very active career in the agricultural pursuits of Champaign County and is a member of one of the old families of this section.

Mr. Leigh married Clara B. Leas. She was born in Stanton Township, Champaign County, a daughter of William C. and Margaret (Argo) Leas. Her father was a native of Indiana and her mother of Ohio, and the family were early settlers in Champaign County.

William C. Leas served three years in the Union Army in Company H of the Seventy-second Indiana Volunteer Infantry. This regiment was part of the famous brigade of General Wilder, commonly known as Wilder's Lightning Brigade, and saw some of the heaviest fighting of the war, including Chattanooga, Chickamauga, and the Atlantic campaign. William C. Leas was mustered out at the close of the war and on receiving his honorable discharge returned home to Indiana. He married in Illinois and reared a family noted for integrity of character and loyal citizenship. He was one of the charter members of Prairie Hope Christian Church and he and his wife were long identified with that congregation.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Marion E. Leigh remained on her father's farm until the death of her parents, and tenderly cared for them during the setting sun of life and handed them down to their graves in peace.

Two children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Leigh, Cora and Etta. They were given the best advantages of school and home. Cora completed her education in the Urbana High School and then married Vernon E. Varner, a farmer in Stanton Township, living on her father's place. The daughter Etta carried on her studies in the high school at St. Joseph. Mr. and Mrs. Leigh removed to the village of St. Joseph, procuring a residence on Third Street. Mr. Leigh while living somewhat retired finds plenty to do and goes to his farm every day, traveling in his automobile. Mr. and Mrs. Leigh are active members of the Prairie Hope Christian Church in Stanton Township and he is one of the deacons and trustees.

In politics he is a Democrat and a man of broad views, upholding the principles of his party and working steadily for good government both in county and nation.

Mr. Leigh has become more than locally known as an extensive breeder and raiser of Shorthorn cattle and Percheron horses. He keeps fine registered stock and his herd of fifty Shorthorns is regarded as one of the best in the entire state. Mr. Leigh has served as road commissioner, as school trustee and township supervisor, and in every office and public responsibility has justified the confidence of his fellow citizens.

William C. Leas had an interesting part in connection with the building as well as the maintenance of the Prairie Hope Christian Church in Stanton Township. Much of the timber entering into the construction grew on trees on his father's farm, and it was milled and hauled from Fountain County, Indiana. William C. Leas assisted in hauling the lumber and also in the work of constructing what was the first country church erected in that part of Champaign County. The old building still remains in a good state of preservation, and its seats are of fine walnut timber, almost priceless at the present time. It has been a center of religious worship and social commingling for two generations of people, and both Sunday school and preaching services have been held there more or less regularly for many years. In the early times on account of the rough and muddy roads church services were difficult to maintain with any degree of regularity, but with the era of good roads the church has been open almost every Lord's day.

At the death of William C. Leas he left a farm to each of his three children. These three children are George N. Leas, Mrs. Delia Christie of Urbana, and Mrs. Marion E. Leigh. Mrs. Leigh inherited the old homestead, which she still possesses and cherishes as the home of her birth and girlhood, with a host of pleasing associations and memories. George N. Leas has in his possession a small Testament which his father carried throughout the three years of his army service. During that time the cover was worn off the little book twice and he rebound it each time himself. The last time he put on a binding made from a piece of fine leather cut from the tops of his army boots. The Testament was given into his hands by his Christian mother whose prayers followed her boy throughout the many weary campaigns he experienced.

Mrs. Leigh has a greatly prized heirloom of her father, in the form of a diary which he kept throughout the war. Perhaps the most interesting feature of this is a poem which he wrote when a boy in the army and while he was on guard duty at Chattanooga, Tennessee. This poem reads as follows :

EGBERT SHIELDS. Among the men who during the past half century have done their full share in the agricultural development of Champaign County is Eobert Shields, who for the past ten years has been a valued resident of the village of Foosland. He was born in Washington County, New York, September 25, 1842, and is the fifth in order of birth of nine children, five sons and four daughters, born to Francis and Agnes (Oliver) Shields. Three of the sons reside in Champaign County, one in Ontario, Canada, one in Florida, and one in Chicago, Illinois.

Francis Shields and his wife were both born in Roxborough, Scotland, and they were married there and some of the older children were born in Scotland. In 1840 they started for America in a sailing vessel out of Liverpool, England, and it was three months before they reached Washington County, New York. There Mr. Shields acquired land, but in 1854 moved to Ontario, Canada, where he engaged in farming during the remainder of his active life and was unusually successful. While he lived in New York he voted with the Whig party. Both he and wife were faithful members of the Presbyterian Church and at death they were interred in the Presbyterian Cemetery at Strathroy, Canada, seventy-five miles east of Detroit.

Robert Shields was twelve years old when he accompanied his parents to Canada, having previously attended school in New York, which covered about his entire educational opportunities. He remained in Canada and worked on farms until he was seventeen years of age, when he decided to start out for himself, determining to reach Logan County, Illinois. When he reached Chicago in March, 1860, he found that he did not have enough money to reach his destination but fortunately was able to borrow one dollar and when he reached Atlanta, in Logan County, still had fifty cents of it. Thus Mr. Shields really did begin at the bottom of the ladder when he bravely started out to build up his fortunes. He found farm work near Lawndale with wages of $12 per month and probably would have continued had not the Civil War come on in 1861.

It is a tribute to Mr. Shield's courage and patriotism that he was one of the earliest to answer the first call of President Lincoln, enlisting on April .17, 1861, for three months, in Company H, Seventh Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Captain C. W. Holden and Colonel John Cook. When his term of enlistment expired he returned home but in August, 1862, he re-enlisted, entering Company C, One Hundred and Sixth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain B. B. Pegram and Colonel R. B. Latham, and was in the Sixteenth Army Corps until after the siege of Vicksburg, in which he took part. The siege over, this regiment was assigned to the Seventh Army Corps, under General Fred Steele. Their field of operations being Arkansas, they drove the enemy out of Little Rock and then engaged in the skirmish at Clarendon. In 1864 General Steele joined in an expedition with General Banks but was forced back to Little Rock, the main object of the Federal army being to keep the Confederates from crossing the Mississippi River to give aid to their forces operating in Mississippi. At Clarendon Mr. Shields received a slight wound in the leg from pn exploding shell but was not otherwise injured and was never taken prisoner, although the major part of his company and even his captain were captured near Jackson, Tennessee. He was mustered out of the service at Pine Bluff, Arkansas, July 12, 1865, and was honorably discharged August 1, 1865. After three years of hard service for his country he then returned home and resumed peaceful life as a farmer.

Mr. Shields was married December 6, 1865, to Miss Harriet H. Maloney, and to them have been born nine children, five sons and four daughters, all of whom are living. Sarah, the eldest, married Hugh Donahue, a farmer in Brown Township, and they have two children, Earl and Nellie, both of whom are married, and there is a little granddaughter, Evaline Kathlyne. Mrs. Donahue is a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. Frank, the eldest son, resides with his parents in Foosland. Ella, the third member of the family, is the wife of Charles Hayes, of Melvin, Illinois, and they are members of the Methodist Protestant Church. Oliver B., the second son, is a successful farmer near Wales,

North Dakota, an Odd Fellow and a member of the Methodist Protestant Church. He married Sarah King and they have four children : Leda, Fern, Eoy and Homer. William H., who is a resident of Foosland, is manager of the great Foos estate for the Foos family of New York. He married Elizabeth Ball, who is deceased and is survived by three children: Roscoe, Tracy and Helen. Mr. Shields is an Odd Fellow and a Knight of Pythias. Flora, the sixth in order of birth, resides with her parents at Foosland. Fred V., who operates his father's estate in Brown Township, belongs to the Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of America. He married Marie Anderson and they have three children : Harriet, Ralph and Robert. Alta M., who is the youngest daughter, is the wife of S. 0. Keltner, who owns a cafe and tonsorial parlors at Selah, Washington, is a member, as are the other members of her family, of the Methodist Protestant Church. Mr. and Mrs. Keltner have one daughter, Ruth. Robert, who is the youngest of Mr. and Mrs. Shields' children, is a very highly educated and talented young man. After completing the public school course, he attended the State Normal University at Normal, Illinois, and afterward taught school in Brown Township. He is identified with the Odd Fellows and with the order of Modern Woodmen of America. From first to last this family may be held up as representatives of the best stock of old Champaign County, reflecting credit on their parents, on their home rearing and upon the state under whose wise laws they have grown to manhood and womanhood. Their father faced death on many a battlefield to insure them such a goodly heritage.

Mrs. Shields, the beloved mother of the above family, was born April 2, 1848, in Muskingum County, Ohio, and is a daughter of W. W. and Sarah A. (Mauch) Maloney. They had one son and six daughters, the survivors, all of whom live in Illinois, being: Harriet; Mary, who is the widow of John Keefer, resides at Farmer City; Tabitha, the widow of A. Music, is a resident of Chicago; Margaret is the wife of Max Kutnewsky, of Peoria; and W. W. is manager of South Park at Peoria. The father of Mrs. Shields was born at Harper's Ferry, West Virginia, and when a young man rode on horseback from there to Ohio, where he married and afterward came, to Illinois. Here the mother of Mrs. Shields died in 1873 and the father in 1881. They were members of the Christian Church. Mrs. Shields was but a child when her parents made the journey from Ohio to Illinois, coming by way of the Ohio, Mississippi and Illinois rivers to Pekin.

Mr. and Mrs. Shields have a very comfortable residence at Foosland. His valuable farm of 240 acres lies in Brown Township, and, as mentioned above, is under the management of one of the sons. Since retiring to Foosland Mr. Shields has taken a good citizen's interest in village affairs, but has never consented to serve in office although his Republican friends have often urged him to do so. It has been otherwise, however, in Stark Post No. 760, Grand Army of the Republic, at Bellflower, of which he is an honored member and has been commander and senior commander. Mr. and Mrs. Shields are very highly esteemed both in village and county. Their hospitable home is ever open to their friends, while to their children and grandchildren it is one of the dearest places on earth.

JOEL WOOD PINKSTON. A portion of the Blue Grass State, long famous for the cordiality and southern hospitality of its inhabitants, may be said to have been transferred bodily to central Illinois in the beautiful rural home of Mr. and Mrs. Joel W. Pinkston, who are in every way representative of the best traits of their Kentucky origin. Mr. Pinkston is a former supervisor of Newcomb Township, and his farming interests are there, while his post- office is Mahomet. Along with the hospitality that characterizes this place there is a high degree of business efficiency. The Pinkston home is known as the Gaywood Stock & Grain Farm. It is three and a half miles northwest of Mahomet, and fourteen miles from Champaign. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkston have come to disregard old time standards of distance, since they now enjoy and deserve the luxury of one of the latest models of the National touring car.

In the state whose earliest historical character was Daniel Boone, Joel W. Pinkston was born, March 31, 1860. He was the eighth in a family of ten children, three sons and seven daughters, born to John Wesley and Amy (Parham) Pinkston. The Pinkstons are lineal descendants from a family of Scotland. Of the ten children nine are still living and eight are residents of Champaign County. John W. Pinkston was also a native of Kentucky, was reared and educated there, and prior to the war was owner of some slaves. Politically he was an active Democrat. He died in April, 1886. He and his wife were both Methodists. His wife was born in Kentucky, March 30, 1824, and spent her last years at Mahomet, Illinois, where she died, April 7, 1905. Her lineage was English, since the name Parham is strictly English in origin. She was a noble mother and always maintained very complete discipline over her home and children. With her home and church were the chief interests of her life. She was always devout in the performance of her religious duties. She and her husband now rest side by side in the Riverside Cemetery, where a beautiful monument stands to their memory.

Joel Wood Pinkston grew up in Kentucky, secured his education there and lived at home until he was twenty-one, when he came to Champaign County and began as a farm laborer at wages of $18 a month. Thus the prosperity of his later years has been won by much self denying exertion and the diligence which makes men successful in every vocation. As a wage earner he continued three years, and for ten years was a tenant farmer in Mahomet Township. He finally contracted for the purchase of eighty acres in section 32, of Newcomb Township. He made that deal in 1893, the year of financial panic, and went in debt for a large part of the purchase money. By persistent effort and never ending vigilance and toil he paid out and then went in debt to the extent of $10,000 for another eighty acres. At the present time Mr. Pingston's home, the Gaywood Stock & Grain Farm, comprises 320 acres, all rich and fertile lands, with exceptional improvements in the way of buildings and barns, and there is not a dollar of indebtedness on the place. Mr. Pinkston also owns city property in Champaign, a short distance from the State University Buildings.

On March 25, 1884, soon after coming to Champaign County, he married Miss Julia Maxwell. To this union were born five children, four sons and one daughter. Jesse Earl, the oldest, has a clerical position in St. Louis, Missouri. He pursued his early studies in the Mahomet High School and also took a business course in Brown's Business College at Champaign. He is a Democrat and a member of the Knights of Pythias. Willie Lee, the second child, attended the Mahomet High School, Brown's Business College at Champaign, and by profession is a civil engineer. At present he is serving as auditor for the Pacific Fruit Express Company, with home and headquarters at Grand Island, Nebraska. He is a member of the Elks Lodge at Denver, Colorado, and politically is a Democrat. Susie May, the only daughter, spent four years in the Champaign High School and is now the wife of Ira Carl Abbott, a successful young farmer in Mahomet Township. Both she and her husband are members of the Baptist Church. They have two children, grandchildren of Mr. Pinkston, named Edwin Pinkston and Julia Ruth. Ervin J., the fourth child, graduated in 1912 from the Mahomet High School and followed agriculture at home with his father until death claimed him on September 23, 1917. He lies buried in the Riverside Cemetery. He was a Democrat and a member of the Baptist Church. Julian 0. has for the past two years been a cadet student in the Missouri Military Academy at Mexico, and belongs to the class of 1919. He has taken great interest in his work and military training. He has membership in the Baptist Church at Mahomet.

The mother of these children died November 9, 1899. Mr. Pinkston was married December 6, 1905, to Miss Harriet Gay Norton. Mrs. Pinkston was born in Missouri, but when four years of1 age her parents removed to Piatt County, Illinois, and eight years later to Champaign County. Mrs. Pinkston is a woman of culture and unusual education. For three years she was a student in the Champaign High School, spent one year in the Decatur High School and one year in the State University. For fourteen years she was a popular and successful teacher in Champaign County, and during the latter part of that work she was connected with the grade schools of Champaign. Mr. and Mrs. Pinkston are members of the Baptist Church at Mahomet, and he is one of the deacons of the church. She served as president of the Domestic Science Club at Mahomet, and since her marriage has devoted herself to the interests of her home, her community, and has proved an invaluable business counsellor to her husband in his business affairs. In 1909 Mr. and Mrs. Pinkston made an extended tour through the great Northwest and down the Pacific Coast, stopping at the cities of Portland, Seattle, Tacoma, San Francisco, and Salt Lake City. They also visited the Yellowstone National Park, Colorado Springs, and Denver. The outgoing trip was made by the Canadian Pacific, which took them through some of the most grandly scenic region on the American continent. At Salt Lake City, they entered the Mormon Temple, and were given a practical test of its wonderful acoustic properties, when a lead pencil dropped at the extreme end of the building could be heard plainly from where they stood. For seven weeks Mr. and Mrs. Pinkston enjoyed the delights of this tour.

Mr. Pinkston is a Democrat and first voted for Grover Cleveland. He has always supported the principles of the party and at different times has been a delegate to county conventions. His official record is that of a public spirited and thoroughly progressive citizen. For fourteen years he served as school director and in June, 1905, was appointed township supervisor and thereafter was elected for each successive year until he had filled this important office, the highest in the township, for twelve years. Mr. Pinkston is a member of Castle Hall Lodge of Knights of Pythias at Mahomet.

RICHARD M. FRANKS. One of the representative citizens of Philo, Illinois, is Richard M. Franks, who not only is managing important business interests but is also one of the trustworthy public officials of township and village. Mr. Franks was born in Saxony, Germany, February 7, 1868, to which province his people have belonged for generations. His parents were Frederick and Julia (Wiedeman) Franks. They came from Germany to the United States in 1881 and located at Philo in Champaign County, Illinois. There the father died in 1897, the mother passing away at a later date in the city of Dubuque, Iowa. They were the parents of two sons, Richard M. and Otto, the latter of whom died in Germany.

Richard M. Franks was thirteen years old when the family came to Champaign County and his schooldays were about ended. He went to work on a farm and continued to be interested in agricultural pursuits until 1904, in which year he came to Philo village and established a lumber yard here and later a yard also at Sidney, and since then has done a large business in this line. He is also agent for the Ford and Studebaker automobiles. Mr. Franks is a man of unusual business enterprise

Mr. Franks was married December 27, 1895, to Miss Alice M. Trost, and they have become the parents of seven children, as follows: Lyman, who lived but two and one-half years; and Royal M., John Edward, Lyle Harold, Richard Eugene, Frederick Paul and Wayne Trost. Mr. Franks and his family belong to the Lutheran Church.

In politics Mr. Franks has always been a sincere Democrat and at all times loyally supports the party nominees. That he is a man in whom his fellow citizens place implicit confidence may be inferred from the fact that many times he has been elected to important public offices and at the present time is serving as village clerk of Philo and is a member of the village school board and is also assessor of Philo Township.

JAMES THOMPSON, a veteran Union soldier, and long identified with Champaign County as a practical farmer, has known this county through all its stages of progress and transformation for the past sixty-five years.

Mr. Thompson is still a hale and hearty man for all his seventy-five years. He cannot recall all the circumstances of his many birthday anniversaries, but one of these birthdays is lastingly impressed upon his mind. It was his tenth. On that day, sixty-five years ago, the Thompson family arrived in Champaign County and settled in Homer Township. James Thompson was born in Missouri, October 9, 1842, a son of David and Mary A. (Hechney) Thompson. The father was born in Ohio and the mother in Missouri, and in that state they were married. Of their five children James was the oldest.

When the family came to Champaign County in 1852, they located in the new and sparsely settled district of Homer Township, where James attended school and he also had some of the advantages of the public schools of Sidney Township. He had not reached his majority when the great Civil War broke out, and in that time of excitement and strenuous patriotism he determined to do what he could to guard the integrity of the Union. When he was about twenty-two years of age he enlisted in Company I of the Tenth Illinois Cavalry. This was a gallant regiment that did much effective service. He was with the regiment at Little Rock, Arkansas, where the Tenth Illinois Cavalry did a splendid service, foraging, breaking the enemy's line of communications, reconnoitering, and making extended forays into the enemy's country. From Little Rock they went to Camden, and then went south into Texas, later to Shreveport, Louisiana, to Mobile, Alabama, were ordered two different times to New Orleans, were sent to Memphis, were taken up and down the river three times and were almost constantly exposed to the hard work and danger of military life as scouts and aids to the infantry in holding strategical points. Mr. Thompson was with this regiment for nearly two years, and was finally mustered out at New Orleans, and returned to Springfield, Illinois, where he received his honorable discharge.

The war over, he resumed the occupations of peace, and on December 13, 1867, married Miss Ann Busey. Mrs. Thompson is a member of one of Champaign County's most notable families. She was born in Sidney Township, September 8, 1850, a daughter of Fountain J. and Marie L. (Shepard) Busey. Her father was born in Kentucky, and her mother at Darbysville, Ohio. They came to Illinois as young people and were married at Urbana. Mrs. Thompson was one of fifteen children. She received her early education in the district school of Sidney Township.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Thompson remained in Sidney Township and rented a farm, and subsequently moved to Urbana Township, where Mr. Busey had given his daughter a farm, on which they lived and laid the foundation of their prosperity for twelve years. Later they went to St. Joseph Township and bought the 160 acres which they still own. This their labors have converted into a splendid farm and country place. They built a commodious home, many other buildings, planted fruit and shade trees, and the entire estate now stands as a monument to their long continued industry.

Mr. and Mrs. Thompson may well take pride in their material achievements, but even more in the splendid family of children who have grown up in their home. They are nine in number, named Fred, Burt, Clint, Daisy, Millie, Winnie, Charles, Burley F. and Guy. These children did not lack for educational opportunities and advantages. They attended the public schools of St. Joseph Township and have had other advantages both at hom<}' " and abroad. The son Fred is now a practical farmer in Somer Township^ and by his marriage to Hattie Corey has three daughters, Ruth, Helen anc Carrie. Burt, who lives at Weston, Ohio, retired, married Florence Cailj Clint, whose home is in Fort Wayne, Indiana, married Lillian Treese, their five children are Jennie, Dorothy, James, Herbert and Dean Busey. The daughter Daisy is the wife of Burt Tompkins, and their three children are Rhuel, Marie and Leon. Winnie is the wife of Sanford White, of Urbana Township. Charles, a farmer in Stanton Township, married Marie Andre, and has a daughter, Marjorie. Three of the children are still at home assisting in the labors of the farm and the management of the household. They are Burley and Guy and Millie.

In matters of politics Mr. Thompson is stanchly aligned with the Democratic party. He believes that President Wilson is the man of the hour and has faith in his steady hand and calm judgment as the great resource for bringing the country out of its present time of trial and stress. Mr. Thompson filled many of those positions indicative of public esteem and has been school director fifteen years, road commissioner and in other local posts of responsibility. The six sons are all members of the Masonic order and the Knights of Pythias, while Fred is also an Odd Fellow and Woodman. Fred Thompson has served two terms as supervisor of Somer Township. The three daughters are all members of the Eastern Star. Mr. and Mrs. Thompson also have one great-grandchild, June Elizabeth Merchimer, daughter of Ruth Thompson, now Mrs. Ruth Merchimer. Mrs. Merchimer was graduated in music from the University of Illinois.

Mrs. Thompson, as member of one of Champaign County's oldest families, has some interesting family heirlooms. One is the mirror used by her Grandfather Busey, in Kentucky, when he first went to housekeeping. Her Grandmother Shepard came from Germany, and brought with her three sets of silver spoons, and these have since been distributed among friends and relatives. Mrs. Thompson also has a quilt pieced by her Grandmother Busey, in Kentucky, from linen woven by herself.

On Friday, September 8, 1917, the entire family of Mr. and Mrs. Thompson returned home to celebrate the mother's birthday, she being then sixty-seven years of age. This was a very great pleasure to both Mr. and Mrs. Thompson.

ELMER A. RUSH has been individually carrying the burdens of agriculture in Champaign County for many years. Business has prospered under his hand and he has enjoyed many of the good things of life, including a good home and the riches of esteem paid him by his fellow citizens. Mr. Rush was born in Philo Township of this county September 30, 1877, a son of William and Florence A. (Keeble) Rush. His father was a native of Pennsylvania and his mother of Vermont. William Rush came to Illinois when a young man and after a brief residence in Marshall

County removed to Champaign County and was engaged in farming in Crittenden Township until his death in August, 1910. The mother died in 1912. They were the parents of nine children: Elsie, who died in infancy; May, living at Philo; Bertha, who died in infancy; Viola F.,. wife of H. W. Fiscus, of Philo; Elmer A., Eva E., who lives with her brother Elmer; William A., Hubert and Sheridan, all deceased.

Elmer A. Rush received his education in the district schools of Champaign County. His earlier experiences were as a farmer and for a time he was in the drug business at Philo. In 1906 he began his career as a renter, having at first eighty acres for two years in Crittenden Township, following which he had 160 acres in Philo Township, and his subsequent farm enterprise has been conducted in Sidney Township, where he has the active management of 240 acres in section 7. He is engaged in general farming and stock raising. His home is on Rural Route No. 11 out of Urbana.

On February 18, 1903, Mr. Rush married Miss Blanche Minich, a native of Champaign County. Their only child, Wilma Eileen, was born in 1915 and died in infancy. While living in Philo Township Mr. Rush served as trustee of the local schools. He is a Republican, a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and he and his wife belong to the Methodist Episcopal Church.

JOSEPH E. LOWERY, M. D. As a competent physician and surgeon Doctor Lowery has been known in Champaign County for a number of years. He began practice over thirty years ago, his early experience in the profession being in the State of Iowa.

Doctor Lowery is a native of Stark County, Ohio, where he was born November 13, 1861. His parents, Joseph and Mary (Simmons) Lowery, were natives of Pennsylvania. His father was a farmer and school teacher. In 1869 the family located in McLean County, Illinois, and in 1882 went to Greene County, Iowa, where Joseph Lowery died in 1888 and his wife 1893. They were the parents of eight children : Frances, Wesley W. and Warren W., all deceased; Walter W., a farmer at Oxford, Nebraska; Nancy, wife of William Fleetwood, of Nebraska; Alice, wife of Dr. A. C. Allbright, of Danville, Illinois ; Joseph E. ; and Minnie Florence, deceased.

Doctor Lowery spent most of his early life on his father's farm in McLean County, Illinois. Besides the advantages of the country schools he attended the high school at Lexington, Illinois, and subsequently took up the study of medicine in the State University of Iowa City. He was graduated M. D. from Drake University at Des Moines in 1885, and the following year he practiced at Waukee and another year at Rippy, Iowa.

Returning to Illinois, Doctor Lowery practiced five years in McLean County, and after that was identified with a growing professional business at Foosland in Champaign County. In 1902 he removed to Homer, where he has had a large general practice as a physician and surgeon for the past fifteen years. Doctor Lowery is a good business man, and is the owner of two drug stores in Danville, his son Joseph being active manager of these stores. Doctor Lowery is a Republican in politics.

JACOB S. COONS. For nearly sixty years Jacob S. Coons has been a resident of Champaign County. He knew the county when it was wild prairie and swamp, and knows it as one of the garden spots of the world. He came here in the flush of young manhood, with little more than his native thrift and industry, and has found all those rewards which satisfy

Mr. Coons was born in Tompkins County, New York, eight miles from the University City of Ithaca, a son of William and Christina (Smith) Coons. His father was also a native of New York State and his mother of Virginia. Jacob was the second in a family of six children, all of whom were educated in the public schools of New York and of the state of Ohio. Jacob was a small child when the family removed to Ohio.

After reaching young manhood he went back to his native state, remaining there six years, and in 1858 came to Illinois. He settled in St. Joseph Township and found work with a farmer.

Mr. Coons married for his first wife Sarah Cowden, a native of Illinois. After her death he married Angela Cox. She was the mother of two children. Addie L. is now Mrs. Nelden, living in Oklahoma City and the mother of one child, Hazel Armstrong. Arthur Clement, the second child of this union, is a successful farmer, now occupying his father's old homestead in St. Joseph Township. He married Ollie Deer of Sidney, and they have four children, Ethel, Gilbert, Nora and Jacob S.

For his third wife Mr. Coons married Emma Z. Crowell, who was born in Indiana, a daughter of John and Diantha (Jennison) Crowell. She was only two years of age when the family came to Illinois, and as one of eight children she grew up and received her education in the public schools of Champaign County. Mr. and Mrs. Coons had two children, Edith and Walter. They were well educated in the local schools and the high school at St. Joseph. Edith also took a course in Brown's Business College at Champaign and is now the wife of Charles Morris, a farmer in St. Joseph Township. Mr. and Mrs. Morris have three children, Charles, Jacob and June Emeline.

When Mr. Coons came to Champaign County the land comprising the "Flats" in Compromise Township were all a vast stretch of wild prairie. He bought for his first purchase forty acres of this land and applied his youth and energy to its development and cultivation. Years brought him increasing success and he finally bought 160 acres in St. Joseph Township and was successfully engaged in farming and stock raising until about fifteen years ago, when he and his wife removed to the village of St. Joseph, leaving the farm in the hands of his son Arthur. The other son, Walter, is still at home and a barber at St. Joseph.

Mr. and Mrs. Coons are active members of the Methodist Episcopal Church at St. Joseph, and have been among its most liberal supporters for thirty-five years. In politics they are both strongly of the Republican doctrine and believe that party is the best equipped to insure the permanent prosperity and integrity of the country. Mr. and Mrs. Coons maintain a most hospitable home, and throughout their careers they have endeavored to instill the principles of true American citizenship in their children. Mr. Coons had two brothers, William and John, who were soldiers during the Civil War, and William died while in the service of his country. Mr. Coons has always practiced the Golden Rule, and in his declining years he has the pleasing retrospect of the past and looks forward to the future confidently and without fear.

THOMAS D. B. STUCKER is one of the honored citizens of Fisher, Illinois. His home has been in 'Champaign County for the past thirtysix years. His life deserves honor and respect 'for two reasons: First, because of the good and honest work he has done as a private citizen, and second, as an old soldier who helped to save the nation during the dark days from 1861 to 1865. Mr. Stucker, whose ancestry originally was

German, was born in Bartholomew County, Indiana, July 13, 1844. He was the fifth in a family of fourteen children, eight sons and six daughters, born to Jeptha and Elizabeth (Bowman) Stucker. Five of these children are still living. Jeptha Stucker was born in the Blue Grass State of Kentucky, June 22, 1805, and he died in Bartholomew County, Indiana, in 1890, when in his eighty-sixth year. On leaving Kentucky he first settled in Jefferson County, Indiana, where he married. Possessing a good education, he taught school and for thirty-seven years was justice of the peace in Bartholomew County. He also served as county assessor. He and his wife, who also died in Bartholomew County, were active members of the Baptist Church. His main occupation was farming and he possessed a well improved place of ninety-three- acres situated seven miles from Columbus, Indiana. That farm is still owned and occupied by one of his sons. His wife was born in Indiana, October 31, 1812, and died June 28, 1886. She was reared in Indiana, and her children rememlber her as a kind hearted and loving mother. Through her mother she was also descended from German stock. Both Jeptha and wife are ,now at rest in St. John's Cemetery in Bartholomew County.

Thomas D. B. Stucker grew up on the old home farm in Indiana, was educated in the common schools, and attended school when they were supported on the subscription plan. Mr. Stucker well recalls the old log cabin building where he learned some of his first lessons. It was heated by a wide fireplace, and the pupils sat on seats made of split logs, and in the absence of individual desks for the pupils there was a broad board set at an incline on pins driven into the wall, at which the older scholars would stand and write out their copy with the old goose quill pen.

At the age of eighteen Mr. Stucker began making his own way in the world as a wage earner. He made thirteen dollars a month for hard work on a farm, and he worked from sunup to sundown. From the farm he went to work in a tannery at Columbus, Indiana, and put in nine years in that business. His final occupation was as a carpenter and joiner, and that trade he followed in Indiana and also in Champaign County until his retirement from active life.

When he was about twenty years of age Mr. Stucker enlisted at Columbus, Indiana, January 5, 1864, in Company A of the One Hundred and Forty-fifth Indiana Infantry, under Captain Henry Winters and Colonel Will A. Adams. This regiment was assigned to duty under General "Pap" Thomas, and his field of action was principally in Tennessee and Georgia. He participated in one of the most bitterly fought and glorious campaigns of the war, that hundred days of almost continuous righting leading up to the siege and fall of Atlanta. He was present at the battle of Spring Place and Buzzard's Eoost in Georgia and in the many other engagements preceding the taking of Atlanta. But through all his exposure to risk and hardship he was never wounded and never taken prisoner. Mr. Stucker was mustered out of service at Macon, Georgia, January 21, 1866, and received his final discharge at the same date.

After the war he returned home and put on the civilian garb and was soon busied with those duties of private life which engaged him for nearly half a century. On January 5, 18.65, before he had finished his war record, Mr. Stucker married Miss Nancy Jane Schrougham. To these worthy parents were born five children, two sons and three daughters, all of whom are still living. Caroline, the oldest, is the wife of M. G. Barnhart, who is in the real estate business at Flanagan, Illinois. Mr. Barnhart is well educated and was formerly principal of schools. They have two children, both of whom are married. Mr. and Mrs. Barnhart are members of the Christian Church. Will S. Stucker, the oldest son, is a resident of Fisher and a teamster. He married Miss Nora Hanna, and they have four children. He is a member of the Christian Church. Nettie, the third child, married J. E. Alder, who is a lumber dealer at Plainfield, Illinois. They have two children, and the family are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Eva is the wife of II. I. Dowse, an agriculturist living near Nevada, Missouri. They have four children. Eugene B., the youngest of the family, is a resident of Fisher, Illinois, and married Miss Kate Wiggins. They belong to the Christian Church.

Mrs. Stacker was born in Indiana September 6, 1846, a daughter of William and Mary E. (Pierce) Schrougham. She was educated in her native state. Mr. and Mrs. Stucker have traveled the journey of life together, sharing in its pleasures and sorrows, its hardships and successes, for fifty-two years, more than half a century. Their golden wedding anniversary was celebrated in January, 1915, in the presence of their children and their many friends in Champaign County. Mrs. Stucker has nobly stood by the side of her husband all these years, and besides the diligence with which she has attended to the duties of her household has been invaluable to him in the way of counsel and advice. Both are active members of the Christian Church.

Mr. and Mrs. Stucker have some possessions in their home which are of more than ordinary interest. One is a copy of the New York Herald published under date of April 15, 1865, and containing the news of the assassination of President Lincoln. Another is a copy of the Daily Citizen, published at Vicksburg, Mississippi, July 2, 1863, just two days before the fall of that great stronghold of the Confederacy. Throughout the South during the Civil War as it progressed newspapers found it more and more difficult to get a supply of print paper, and this particular copy was printed on the reverse side of some figured wall paper. Mr. Stucker has the Democratic ticket of 1864, containing the name of General George B. McClellan for President. Probably one of the oldest Bibles in Champaign County is owned by Mr. and Mrs. Stucker. It was published in 1802, and is therefore a hundred and fifteen years old. Mr. Stucker has a $5 bill of the noted "wildcat" money issued by the Bank of Illinois in 1859. He also has a Confederate $10 bill.

Mr. Stucker is an honored member of Lodge No. 704 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows at Fisher, has passed all the chairs in the local lodge and has been a delegate to the grand lodge. He and his wife are members of the Daughters of Eebekah. Mr. Stucker is also a very active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and has been commander of Van Wert Post No. 300 at Fisher, was adjutant of the post, and has attended the Grand Encampments at St. Louis, Columbus, Ohio, Indianapolis, Chicago, and Louisville, Kentucky. The Van Wert Post now numbers about fifteen survivors of the great war.

Mr. and Mrs. Stucker have done their work in life well, have enjoyed the happiness of family and friends, and none in that section deserves more the love and esteem paid them.

FEANK MILLER was until his recent death one of the enterprising farm managers of Champaign County and had under his adequate direction and control one of the largest individual farms iif the entire county. It is the extensive Matis farm of 510 acres, situated in section 10 of Champaign Township. The home is on Rural Route No. 1 out of Champaign. During the six years he had charge of this estate he demonstrated his capacity for handling a big farming proposition on progressive lines and in a manner profitable to himself and to the owners of the land. Besides general farming he made something of a specialty of breeding and raising thoroughbred Hereford cattle, English shire horses, and Duroc Jersey hogs. The finest animals of these types in eastern Illinois were found on his place.

Mr. Miller was a native of Champaign County, where he was born February 23, 1870, a son of Daniel and Mary (Potts) Miller. Both his father and mother were born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and his father came to Champaign County in the early '60s. He was one of the sturdy and progressive farmers of this county, and lived here until his death in 1897. The mother passed away November 30, 1915. They had eight children: Susan, William H. and Minnie, all deceased; Charles, of Mendota, Illinois; George, deceased; Frank; Catherine, wife of M. M. Wheatley, of Seymour; and Alice, wife of John Bevins, of Champaign.

Mr. Frank Miller had the life of the average farmer boy, attended the district schools, and he early assumed the responsibilities of caring for his widowed mother and his two younger sisters on the farm. On leaving the old home place here moved to Champaign and for about fifteen years was engaged in teaming and the livery business. He retired from that line in 1911 to take the management of the present place above mentioned.

Mr. Miller was married December 10, 1905, to Miss Mary E. Simeral, a native of Cumberland County, Illinois. Two children were born to their union: Daniel Eoss, born July 5, 1907; and William Henry, born March 12, 1910. Mr. Miller besides the heavy responsibilities he carried in the management of his farm was serving as highway commissioner at the time of his death. He was a Republican and was affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows.

Mr. Miller passed away September 13, 1917, and his remains were interred in Mount Hope Cemetery; he was buried under the auspices of the I. 0. 0. F., his lodge being in Champaign. Mr. Miller was a gentleman of the highest ideals, his friends were many and his funeral was one of the largest held in Champaign Township. Mrs. Miller is a lady who has the love and respect of all who know her. She and her two little sons, Daniel Ross and William Henry, are left to mourn the loss of husband and father.

GEOVEE C. KIEBY learned his business as a farmer and stockman when a boy in Champaign County, and having added to knowledge and experience the other qualities of industry and prudence, he has been getting steadily ahead in the world since he began his independent career.

Mr. Kirby was born in Sidney Township of this county January 22, 1885, a son of George Marion and Froella Catherine (Stillwell) Kirby. His father is still living in Sidney Township, where the mother died May 5, 1901. They were the parents of nine children: Cora of Sidney; Viola, wife of Frank Cannon of Homer Township; Albert of St. Joseph Township ; Grover C. ; Arthur of Decatur, Illinois ; Frank of Sidney Township ; Clarence, at the home place ; Addison of St. Joseph ; and the youngest, a son, died in infancy. .

Grover C. Kirby grew up at his father's home and received his educational advantages in the district schools. At the age of twenty he left home and began farming for himself as a renter. The first two years he spent on a place of 160 acres in St. Joseph Township, and then removed to Sidney Township, where he has the active management of 400 acres in section 6. He is rapidly gaining an independent position in the world as a general farmer and stock raiser. Mr. Kirby is a Democrat in politics. His home is on Route No. 57 out of Sidney.

He married Miss Ella Marie Light, who was born in Philo Township. They are the parents of two children, Hazel, born September 10, 1908, and Helen Irene, born April 8, 1912.

GEORGE HOI/TAPP is one of the conspicuous factors in the modern agricultural activities of Champaign County. The name is one that has been identified with Champaign County history for many years, and he is one of the younger generation and with a brother is managing the resources of a fine farm in Harwood Township in section 33. The home is on Rural Route No. 3 out of Rantoul.

Mr. Holtapp was born in Hamilton County, Ohio, a son of Joseph and Barbara (Hoffman) Holtapp. His parents were natives of Germany. There were seven sons in the family, George, Fred, Charles and John, residents of Iowa, and Frank, Lewis and George of Champaign County.

Joseph Holtapp passed away in 1914. He had spent many years of usefulness and was a man of neighborly kindness and enjoyed a large circle of friends. He lived to see his sons well reared and all of them splendid citizens. The mother died in 1900 and her remains are interred in Maplewood Cemetery at Rantoul. She was an active member of the Baptist Church, while her husband was a German Lutheran in faith.

George Holtapp married, in 1915, Miss Elizabeth Moore. She was born in eastern Kentucky, a daughter of John and America (Johnson) Moore, her father a native of North Carolina and her mother of Kentucky. Mrs. Holtapp was educated in the Kentucky public schools and when a young lady she came to Vermilion County, Illinois, to visit her aunt, Flora Hogge. While here she became acquainted with George Holtapp, and the acquaintance ended in her changing her name from Moore to Holtapp. After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Holtapp started life on his father's farm near' Dillsburg, the old homestead of his parents. They have shown many excellent and commendable qualities as farmers and home makers and as factors in local society. Mr. and Mrs. Holtapp have one child, a bright and attractive boy named George Mervin.

Mr. Holtapp and his brother Frank are now running the old homestead of 160 acres. They are practical farmers and have made mother earth respond bountifully to their touch. Last year they raised 1,750 bushels of oats and 5,250 bushels of corn, their crop averaging fifty-three bushels of oats and seventy bushels of corn to the acre.

In 1915 Mrs. Holtapp's widowed mother came from Kentucky with her daughter Evelyn, and they have since made their home with Mr. and Mrs. Holtapp. Mr. Holtapp is a stanch Republican in politics and believes that the principles of that party best express American ideals.

DAVID A. SILVER is one of the men who claim Champaign County as their birthplace and the scene of their substantial activities. Mr. Silver has found in farming both a congenial and profitable occupation. The management of well tilled fields, the care and superintendence of good stock, the task of winning a living and at the same time increasing and - improving the value of his farm, and the duties of good citizenship, have occupied him for many years. His home and farm are in Philo Township in section 3, and his mail is delivered on Rural Route No. 11 out of Urbana.

Mr. Silver was born in Philo Township, September 22, 1867, and is a son of Wallace and Mary D. (Karr) Silver. His father was born in Warren- County, Ohio, and his mother in New Jersey. Wallace Silver arrived in Champaign County October 23, 1854. He had come overland from Ohio, bringing household goods, and cattle. Locating in Philo Township, he bought in 1855 eighty acres in section 3, and proceeded forthwith to its development and improvement and followed farming successfully there until the last twelve years of his life, which he spent retired in Urbana. He died June 10, 1914, and his widow is still living in Urbana.

The only child of his parents, David A. Silver grew up on the home farm, attended the local schools, and at the age of twenty rented a tract of land for his own purposes. In 1891 he bought eighty acres in section 10 of Philo Township, and in 1902 increased his farm by the purchase of eighty acres more in section 3. This land he has devoted to general farming and stock raising.

A Eepublican in politics, Mr. Silver served as township assessor five years and for nineteen years was a member of the school board. He is affiliated with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Masons, and he and his family are Presbyterians.

On March 7, 1893. he married Miss Mae Wells, a native of Champaign County. Their five children, one of whom is deceased and the others are at home, are named as follows: Wallace E., born November 26, 1895; Hazel M., born November 17, 1896; Mary V., born March 7, 1898; Frank W., born October 1, 1899; and Eobert M., born November 3, 1900, died September 15, 1910.

Mrs. Silver is a daughter of Francis and Cordelia Jane (Evans) Wells. Both were born in Ohio and came to Champaign County about 1854, locating in Urbana Township, and from there moving to Philo Township. Her mother died May 27, 1908, and her father is now living with his children at Blackwell in Kay County, Oklahoma. Besides farming he took an active interest in local affairs in Philo Township and served as supervisor and assessor. During the Civil War he was a private and a member of Colonel Busey's Seventy-sixth Eegiment. Mrs. Silver is the oldest of her father's eleven children. Thomas W. lives at Urbana; Ada is the wife of George Flewelling of Jackson, Minnesota ; Elias Herbert resides at Lincoln, Nebraska; Elmer, at Pomeroy, Iowa; Arthur, at Los Angeles, California; and all the others at Blackwell, Oklahoma. Grace is the wife of Albert Lientz, Charlotte the wife of John Eoot, Chester M. and Irvin are the two youngest sons, and Nellie, the youngest of the family, is the wife of V. A. Gordon.

JOSEPH BRAYSHAW, M. D. The success of the capable and competent surgeon has attended the career of Dr. Joseph Brayshaw, who for the past fifteen years has been successfully engaged in practice at Homer.

Doctor Brayshaw was born in Perry County, Illinois, January 15, 1868, son of Helvetius Pyle and Elizabeth (Brayshaw) Brayshaw. His father, who was of mingled English and Greek descent, was born in Perry County, Illinois, while the mother was a native of England. The father was a farmer and spent the last twenty years of his life in Missouri, where he died January 1, 1895. Besides farming he was a skilled landscape gardener and a nurseryman. The widowed mother is still living at the old home in Missouri. Her six children are : James Edward, in Missouri ; Sarah Ellen, wife of J. S. Langston, in Missouri ; Anna D., widow of H. F. Welsh, in Missouri ; Doctor Brayshaw ; Lucinda, at home ; and Charles William, who was killed by a stroke of lightning in 1916.

Doctor Brayshaw spent the latter part of his youth in Missouri and besides the common schools attended the Baptist College at Pierce City, Missouri. He graduated in 1888, at the age of twenty, and following this for three years he worked on the home farm. His ambition from an early age was to become a physician, and largely through his own earnings he paid his way through the University of Michigan, where he spent four years and where he took his medical degree. In 1896 Doctor Brayshaw located at Berlin, Illinois, and was in practice there until he removed to Homer in January, 1902. He has joined the Medical Officers Eeserve Corps and has received his commission as first lieutenant.

While a resident of Berlin, Doctor Brayshaw served as mayor. He is a Republican in politics and is affiliated with the Woodmen of the World, the Masonic Order and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He married Mary R. King on June 1, 1898. Mrs. Brayshaw is a native of Kansas. They have one child, Helen Matilda.

TRUMAN 0. CORD has made a success of farm management and has in active operation one of the fine places in Sidney Township, located on Rural Route No. 58.

While Mr. Cord has spent most of his life in Champaign County, he was born in Indiana, October 26, 1872, a son of Simon and Milcah (Cawihorn) Cord. Both parents were natives of Indiana, and both are now deceased, the mother having passed away in 1884 and the father on July 13, 1890. They came to Champaign County about 1876 and the father was also a farmer. There were seven children: Charles E., in Iowa; Roma, wife of John C. Meyers of Mayview; Frank of Urbana; Truman 0.; Benjamin, deceased; Rose, wife of U. S. Thompson of Homer; and Allen, in Chicago. For his second wife Simon Cord married Nancy Bettis, and there is one child of this union, Pearl, wife of Ernest Lyons of Madison, Illinois.

Truman 0. Cord received a district school education and at the age of eighteen entered upon an active career as a farmer, renting eighty acres. He worked that for a number of years, then spent two years in Michigan, and since returning to Champaign County has had the active management of 280 acres in section 8 of Sidney Township. He is devoting this to general farming and stock raising.

On March 17, 1899, Mr. Cord married Media Lockwood. They have five young children : Joy, Thelma, Lenora, - Edith and Robert T. Mr. Cord is a Republican in politics and is affiliated with the Masonic order and with the Court of Honor.

HENRY K. KELLER, superintendent of the Champaign County Home and Farm, was for many years an active business man of Urbana, and has spent the greater part of his life in this county.

Mr. Keller was born in the historic and picturesque region around Cumberland, Maryland, January 20, 1858. His parents were William V. and Susan (Cook) Keller. His father, a native of Bedford County, Pennsylvania, was a stone mason by trade. In October, 1864, the family came to Champaign County, locating at Urbana, where his father followed his trade until his death in 1876. The mother also died at Urbana. They had a large family of children: John W., James Milton, Scott, Mary and Annie all deceased ; Joseph, a resident of Urbana ; Laura, deceased ; Henry K. ; Martha, wife of John Buckley of Forest, Illinois ; Emma, deceased; Susan, wife of George Stamp of Urbana; and two that died in infancy.

Henry K. Keller was seventeen years of age when his father died. Many of the responsibilities of keeping up the home and family then devolved upon him. He had received only such advantages as were furnished by the common schools. Soon after his father's death he went out to Moberly, Missouri, and was engaged in railroad work for about seven years. On returning to Champaign County he located in Urbana, entered the local brick works and was advanced to superintendent of the Sheldon Brick Company. He filled that position a number of years and in 1910 the Board of Supervisors appointed him superintendent of the County Home, an office he has held ever since. He is the right man for this place, and is giving a very careful and capable supervision of this important county institution.

Mr. Keller married for his first wife Louise Weil, who was born at St. Louis, Missouri, and died in September, 1911. They had two children: William, of Champaign; and Lottie, wife of Laurel Truman, of St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Keller married for his second wife Selma Benidott, who was born in Sweden. They have a daughter, Jet Virginia, born March 28, 1914. In matters of politics Mr. Keller is independent.

L. W. BAIED was long a fixture in the business affairs of the town of Ogden as a lumber merchant, and is now living retired in that quiet village, surrounded with all the comforts and conveniences that a life of industry and honor have brought him.