Crawford County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 17 of those read), 1909 (part 5 of 11)

Mr. Hurst attended the district school in his native town, and later entered Earlham College, at Richmond, Ind., from which he was graduated at the age of twenty-one years. At this time he was admitted to the old stablished firm of Hurst & Olwin, the firm name becoming Hurst Brothers in 1880. This business, which has been one of the leaders in its line for nearly thirty years, is devoted to general merchandising and grain trade, and commands a large patronage throughout Crawford County. Mr. Hurst is one of the wealthy and influential citizens of the County, and has the confidence and respect of all who have come in contact with him. He holds the patent and owns the land purchased by his grandfather, Major John W. Barlow, a tract of 140 acres. Although a stanch Democrat in political matters, he has never aspired to public office. He is a Campbellite in religious belief and fraternally, is connected with Woodland Camp, No. 2756, Modern Woodmen, and Robert Bruce Lodge, No. 191, Knights of Pythias of Robinson.

On November 11, 1880, Mr. Hurst was married at the residence of his bride's father, at York, Clark County, Ill., by Elder W. E. Black, deceased, who was a noted Evangelist of Chicago, to Minnie Patterson. who was born in Nelson County, Ky., September 19, 1860, a daughter of John and Susan (Gibbs) Patterson, natives of the State of Maine. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurst: Roscoe Patterson, November 18, 1882; and Wilbur Randolph, November 11, 1885. Roscoe Patterson Hurst attended the Terre Haute (Ind.) High School, DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., and Notre Dame University, South Bend. Ind., where he received his diploma in law, June 12, 1906. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession, in Portland, Ore. Wilbur Randolph Hurst is à graduate of Union Christian College of Merom, Ind., having graduated therefrom June

12, 1906, and he is now attending Rush Medical College, Chicago, where he is in his junior year. Mr. Hurst and family occupy as their home in the village of Hutsonville, a handsome residence, surrounded by beautiful shade trees and other improvements.

HURST, William Barlow. - The material interests of any community advance or decline according to the character of the men who conserve them. If they are men of high business principles. and are actuated by only the best of motives, if they are progressive, then does a place flourish. Probably the prosperity of Hutsonville, Crawford County, Ill., can be explained upon these grounds, for the men whose names appear among the leading citizens of the village are men who are in every way worthy of the confidence reposed in them. Among others thus prominent is W. B. Hurst, who was born in Hutsonville, April 3, 1850. Mr. Hurst attended the schools of his native village, later went to Westfield College, at. Westfield, Ill., and 'after a term. there entered the commercial college at Terre Haute, Ind. Returning to Hutsonville, he associated himself with Hurst & Olwin. general merchants and grain dealers, the firm composed of John R. Hurst, his father and John Olwin, a brother-in-law.

This partnership was formed in 1871 and continued until 1880, when the senior member, J. R. Hurst, retired, and L. C. Hurst and J. M. MeNutt became partners. At this time the firm began to handle lumber in addition to other commodities, doing a large retail business. The style of the firm was Hurst, Olwin & Co., while J. M. MeNutt was a son-in-law to J. R. Hurst. 'This style was continued until 1883, when Mr. Olwin retired, and Mr. McNutt exchanged his interest in the firm of Hurst, Olwin & Co. for the lumber business which was conducted by him. the other branch of the business being continued under the firm name of Hurst Brothers. In 1895 an elevator was erected by Hurst Brothers & MeNutt for the purpose of handling grain. This branch of the business has developed into a very valuable addition to the other interests. Much of the credit for the successful prosecution of the several branches of the business is due to the management of Mr. W. B. Hurst and the liberal investments he has made in the enterprises.

On April 11, 1875, at Hutsonville, Ill, Mr. Hurst was married to Clara E. Holderman, a daughter of Jacob and Lydia (Repp) Holderman. The ceremony was performed at the residence of the bride's father by the Rev. John L. Cox, of the Baptist Church. Five children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Hurst: Lois Blanche, born March 16, 1876; John Noble, born October 3, 1884; Straud Elizabeth, born February 17, 1888; Juanita Bnoid, born October 29, 1891; Clara Adelia, born October 13. 1893. Of these, Lois B. married Charles L. Douglas of Paris, Ill., on October 8, 1902. He is engaged in the clothing business with W. B. Hurst & Co., of Hutsonville. The ceremony was performed by the Rev. W. IL. Jones, of the Methodist Church. One daughter,

Morill, was born to them, June 29, 1903. John Noble was married May 21, 1908, to Louise Weger, daughter of John P. Weger, of Flat Rock, Ill., the Rev. Ball of Watseka, Ill a Methodist minister, performing the ceremony. Straud Elizabeth is attending school at DePauw University, Greencastle, Ind., and is in her senior year. Juanita Bnoid is attending the Illinois Woman's 'College at Jacksonville, Ill., and Clara Adelia is in the High School in Hutsonville. Mr. Hurst belongs to the Methodist Church, in which he is a Trustee and of which he has been a member for eighteen years. During the many years he has been engaged in business he has accumulated considerable means, and is now one of the wealthiest citizens of the county. He is a Director of the First National Bank of Robinson, Ill, and owns several hundred acres of land divided into different farms, upon which there are substantial improvements, including residences, barns and other outbuildings. These farms are devoted to the raising of corn, wheat and hay. In addition to the above hoidings, Mr. Hurst owns valuable business and residence property, besides his home on the hill overlooking the village in which he was born and where he has labored so long and So successfully. His beautiful residence is surrounded by a spacious lawn, studded with forest trees, and in it are to be found a happy family and a most gracious hospitality.

Mr. Hurst is a son of John Randoiph Hurst, who was born in Goldsboro, Wayne County, N. C., August 7, 1811. His father was William while his mother was Sarah (Musgrave) Hurst. John R. Hurst married Nancy Owen Barlow, born in Hutsonville Township, Crawford County, May 5, 1818, a daughter of John W. and Elizabeth (Gordon) Barlow, both from Kentucky. who came to Crawford County in 1816. Major Barlow was a soldier in the Black Hawk War, and he and his wife took up their residence in Hutsonville Township in the year made famous by the massacre of the Hutson family by the Indians, and it was at this place that Nancy (Barlow) Hurst was born. 2

John R. Hurst came from North Carolina with his uncle, Nathan Musgrave, in 1823, when twelve years of age, and after three years spent in Union County came to Crawford County, Ill., and there spent the remainder of his life, founding the business his sons have since conducted. After coming to Crawford County, he began working on a farm for William Fox at forty dollars a year. Mr. and Mrs. Hurst were the parents of the following named children: John Philander, born July 22, 1837. and died September 10, 1838; Amanda, born June 15, 1839, married Isaac N. Lowe, and died March 13, 1860, when a little more than twenty years old; Artilisa Adelia, born April 21, 1841, and died February 21, 1856; Sarah, born April 19, 1844, is the widow of John MeNutt and lives in Hutsonville; Rebecca Florence, born May 23, 1846, is the wife of John Olwin, of Robinson; twins (a boy and a girl), born February 26, 1846, one died March 3d and the other Mareh 5th, following: William B. and Lucius C., born March 16, 1854; twins

(a boy and a girl) born November 13, 1857, the latter died November 15th and the former November 21st, same year; 'Charles, born October 19, 1861, and died September 4, 1863; and Tonie, born July 20, 1866, and died September 4, 1866.

John R. died October 7, 1886, aged seventyfive years and two months. The funeral services were held upon the grounds of his residence. the old homestead, and were attended by a large concourse of people, universal sorrow being felt at the taking away of this old and honored pioneer. The respect felt was manifested by the closing of all places of business during the funeral, three of them being heavily draped mourning. The services were conducted by the Revs. John L. Cox and W. T. Gordon, and the remains were interred in the New Cemetery of the place he was instrumental in building, and in which he resided for so many years. His widow survived him until July 21, 1900, when She, too, passed away, and was laid to rest by his side. At the time of her death, Mrs. Hurst was eighty-two years, two months and sixteen days old.

It is in the records of such people as these that the student gains true inspiration. Brave deeds upon the battle fields, or brilliant oratory on the floor of the legislative halls may awaken enthusiasm, but after all, the real back-bone of a country is to be found in the deeds of the quiet, substantial people who pursue their daily tasks, cheerfully and patiently performing whatever is set before them, and who, little by little, build up great monuments to their credit, even more lasting than those carved from granite, gratifying as these may be. The good accomplished by John and Nancy Hurst will never die as long as Crawford County lives. Their memories are tenderly enshrined in the hearts of those who have descended from them, and those who have profited from their charity and publie spirit.

INBODEN, J. W., who for many years has been one of the progressive farmers of Crawford County, Ill., residing on Section 10, Oblong Township. was born in Perry County, Ohio, April 18, 1844, a son of George W. Inboden, who was born in Virginia and by trade was a stone-mason. He was married in Ohio to Margaret Fisher, a native of Ohio, and they became the parents of children as follows: Hannah; Joseph; J. W.; Daniel; Melissa; Henry ; Martin L., and Rachel, all deceased except J. W. Inboden.

Coming to Crawford County with his uncle, Daniel Moyer, J. W. Inboden lived with his uncle until the latter's death, when the lad was only twelve, and then hired out to Foster Donald, with the understanding that he was to work on the farm in the summer and go to school in the winter. Later he went to the home of James Wood. but in two months' time entered the home of Fred Bachley and remained there one winter. By this time he had grown older, studied some and knew considerable about farming, and in partnership with a Mr. Ginter, he rented land for a year.

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boden enlisted in the Sixty-second Illinois Volunteer Infantry, the commander of his company being Capt. Crooks and his regimental commander Col. James M. True. From Anna, Ill., the regiment was ordered to Columbus, Ky., then to Padueah, and from there to Crockett, Tenn. Later it served at Jackson, Tenn.; Holly Springs, Miss.; Clifton Landing, Jackson and Memphis. Tenn.; Helena, Little Rock and Pine Bluff, Ark. ; and Fort Gibson, Ind. Ty. At Little Rock, Ark., on December 27, 1863, he reenlisted as a veteran in his old company and regiment, in which he served until his final discharge at Springfield, Ill, on March 6, 1866, in the meantime being promoted first to Corporal and then to Sergeant, holding the latter position until the end of his term of service. Then returning home he rented land for two years, when he married and commenced working by the month at farming, thus continuing nine years, when he bought his preset property of eighty acres, which he cleared and improved.

In June, 1905, Mr. Inboden leased his land to Mr. Seibert, who later sold his leases to the Minnetonka, the Wabash and the Red Bank Oil Companies. In April, 1906, the Minnetonka Company drilled the first well on this land, and now Mr. Inboden has four oil-producing wells on his farm.

On Mareh 26, 1867, Mr. Inboden was married in Crawford County, to Mary A. Carter, a daughter of Joseph Carter, a farmer of the county. Mr. and Mrs. Inboden have had children as follows: George and Eli (deceased), Joanna, Ulysses S., Theodore, John, Ira, Carrie, Homer, Arthur and Otho, the last two being deceased. Mr. Inboden has been a Republican during all of his political life. He is a member of the United Brethren Church, in which he has served as Treasurer and one of its Trustees.

JAMES, Luther Elmer, D. D. S. - The science of dentistry is becoming more and more complieated every day, with all the new discoveries, changing methods, and the greater skill that is required to apply them. Dr. Luther Elmer James of Oblong, Crawford County, Ill. is one of the leading representatives of his profession in this locality. He was born December 4, 1873, in Oblong, which has always been his home, a son of Martin Luther and Elizabeth (Wright) James. His paternal grandfather was Levi James, one of Crawford County's early settlers. The father was born November 17, 1838, near Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio, while the mother was born in Rush County, Ind. June 8, 1842. Martin Luther James is a pioneer of Crawford County, having come there with his parents in 1845, and has been in the undertaking business at Oblong In August, 1861, he enlisted as a private in Company D, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, under Captain Markley, and was promoted to rank of Second Lieutenant. He was wounded in the knee at the siege of Vicksburg, and lay in McPherson hospital, in the rear of the town. However, his patriotism and youth aided him in a rapid recovery, and he rejoined his regiment in time to participate in a number of battles and other engagements. Those in which he took part during his term of service included the battle of Belmont, the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson, Siege of Corinth, Britton Lane, Siege of Vicksburg and Siege of Atlanta, and then went on the famous March to the Sea. After his long and brave service, he had the honor of participating in the Grand Review at Washington and was mustered out in July, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. Although he endured so much in those stirring times, at seventy years of age, in 1908, he is hale and hearty, prosperous in business, and a great favorite in Albert Wood Post, No. 175, G. A. R.

After attending school, when seventeen years old, Dr. James became a clerk in Oblong Postoffice, and in 1893 entered the Medical Department of the Northwestern University at Chicago, from which he graduated with the degree of D. D. S. on April 6, 1896. On the first of the following month, Dr. James leased his handsome suite of rooms in Oblong, where he has been very successfully engaged in the practice of his profession ever since. ;

On September 6, 1894, Dr. James was married. in Oblong to Miss Sarah L. Hill, daughter of John Hill, a pioneer, now deceased, but who is survived by his widow. After fourteen years of married life, Mrs. James died March 21, 1908, leaving a daughter, Vessa Neona, born July 6, 1895, now in the seventh grade of school, a charming, bright little one. Dr. James is a Republican in politics, and for two years served as Village Clerk. Fraternally he is a Mason, and also belongs to the Sons of Veterans, of which he was elected Lieutenant-Colonel for the Illinois Division in 1898. Outside his other interests, Dr. James is Director in the First National Bank of Oblong.

In the death of Mrs. James the community lost a beautiful and noble character, while the loss to her husband and children cannot be adequately described. She was a member of the First Christian Church of Oblong, as also is her husband, and she died firm in her faith.

JEWELL, Alpheus. - Those who have cleared their own land and seen it gradually develop from an almost worthless condition into property for which they have refused a fancy price, appreciate the changes that the past half-century has effected in Crawford County. Alpheus Jewell was born in Kentucky, May 23, 1859. His father William Benjamin Jewell, now deceased, was a native of the same State, where he was reared and married Ruth E. Darnold, also a native of Kentucky, and daughter of William C. Darnold. In early manhood William Jewell taught the only school of his Township, and at the same time engaged in farming. He and his wife became the parents of six children: Laura, Francis Marion, Drusilla C. and Mary B. (twins), Albert (deceased), and Alpheus, who was third in order of birth.

and located in Honey Creek Township, where the father bought 80 acres of land. the greater part of which was covered with timber. This land he cleared, and later added to his acreage until he was owner of 120 acres at the time of his death, which occurred on the homestead in his sixtieth year. He was a Democrat in politics, and a member of the Missionary Church in religious faith. ns

Alpheus Jewell was educated in the primitive sehools of his neighborhood, where he was thoroughly grounded in the common branches, working on the farm during vacations and after he finished school until his marriage, which took place January 1, 1880, to Polly Ann Dunlap, born in Honey Creek Township, the daughter of Thomas Dunlap, now deceased, who was one of the pioneer farmers of the Township, and died while in service during the Civil War. Mr. and Mrs. Jewell have had three children: Ida, deceased; Ausie and Roy, all born in the present home. When Mr. Jewell married he moved onto 40 acres of his present farm, which he cleared. From time to time he has bought more land and now has a very fertile farm of 200 acres, which he devotes to general farming and stock-raising. He has made all of the improvements, and has a comfortable residence and commodious barns. A gas well has been opened on the property which adds to its value. As a Democrat he has been active in township affairs, and has served very acceptably as Highway Commissioner for three years. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and he and his wife are consistent members of the United Brethren Church. Industrious, thrifty, a good manager, and a hard worker, Mr. Jewell has accumulated his present property through his own efforts, and has every reason to feel proud of his success.

JOHNSON, Robert Daniel . - The oil interests of Crawford County are becoming, year by year, more important until the county has now become even better known for its oil-fields than for its farming enterprises. Among those fortunate enough to own land in the oil belt is Robert Daniel Johnson, who has a farm of 133 acres in Robinson Township. He was born in Rush County, Ind., August 6, 1847, a son of Hamilton Johnson who was born in Owen County, Ky., June 9, 1810. The father moved to Rush County, Ind., about 1844, and began farming there. He remained in that locality about ten years, and then, in 1854, located in Robinson Township, and there bought 80 acres of land. His death occurred in Robinson, in February. 1879. On August 20. 1861, he enlisted in Company D, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, Capt. Thomas Markley commanding. After participating in the engagements of Belmont and Forts Henry and Donelson, he was discharged on account of general disability, and returned home. He was mustered out in April, 1864.

married Milton Rader, a farmer, and they live in Rush County, Ind. ; Elizabeth (now deceased), who was born June 8, 1833, married William Curtley, and they had three sons and one daughter; Gilly. born May 11, 1835, married Joseph Heck, and they have two sons and two daughters, and live in Rush County, Ind.; Salome, born January 1, 1837, married Calvin Newlin, and they had two sons and four daughters - both parents now being ddceased, while the children reside at Arkansas City, Kan.; Martitia, born February 9, 1839, married Joshua Newlin (now deceased), they had one son and four daughters, and she now resides at Arkansas City. Kan.; Mary T., born March 17, 1841, married Clark Newlin, and they had one són and three daughters, she being now deceased, while her husband resides in the northern part of Hutsonville Township; William H., born April 7, 1843, married Elizabeth Wilson, daughter of Lewis and Margaret A. Wilson, and they have four sons living and one daughter deceased; Nancy J., born May 7, 1845, married James S. Brown. they have seven children and live in Kildare, Okla.; Robert D.; Thomas E., born July 7, 1849, died when one year old; Gabriel A., born February 1, 1851, married Martha Brown, daughter of Smith and Mary Brown, farmers. they have two sons and four daughters and live at Alva, Okla.; Henry Clay, born February 16, 1854, died unmarried in Texas when twenty-four years of age.

Robert Daniel Johnson attended school in Science Hall in Robinson Township, and also the district school at Rock Bluff in Crawford County. On March 15, 1877, he married Sarah J. Wilson, daughter of Lewis and Margaret Wilson, farmers of Crawford County, living in Robinson Town- Ship. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have had children as follows: Emma A., born October 30, 1877, married Cornelius Stevenson a farmer in Robinson Township, they have three sons and one daughter; Warren A., born July 3, 1880, married Hattie Cleveland, daughter of Henry and May (Kenney) Cleveland, they have one son; Oca W., born June 21, 1884, married Joy Hyre of Crawford County, but they have no issue; Gentry D., born February 10, 1887.

In politics Mr. Johnson is a Republiean. For twenty-eight years he has been a member of the United Brethren Church, and his wife is also a member of the same denomination. His farm consists of 133 acres which he has leased to the Ohio Oil Company, and in 1909 they are to commence drilling for oil.

Mrs. Johnson is one in a family of five children born to her parents, namely: John, born June 14, 1841, married Bowen of Westfield, Ill., and they have three daughters and one Son, of whom Mary and Sabina are deceased; Edith married Everet Price and is now living near Portersville, while the son, Lawrence Wil- Son, married Alice Stanfield and they have a daughter, Clara; Mrs. Johnson; Elizabeth A. married William H. Johnson, they live at Robin- Son and have four sons living, and one daughter

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(now deceased), they had four sons and two daughters and she lives in Oblong, Crawford County; David C., married Catherine Collins, they live in Robinson and have two daughters and one son living, and two sons deceased. Mrs. Wilson is living with her daughter, Mrs. Johnson, and although ninety-two, she is in remarkably good health and possesses an excellent memory of things which occurred many years ago. She was born May 21, 1816. Her husband, Mr. Wilson, born in 1813. died September 13, 1877, sixty-four years of age. He came to Crawford County in 1850, from Morgan County, Ohio, and entered government land, paying $1.25 per acre. At that time the county was in a wild condition. Mr. Wilson helped to build one of the first schoolhouses in Crawford County, which was of logs and located in Robinson Township. Both the Johnson and the Wilson families played very important parts in the development and improvement of the county, and the children of Mr. and Mrs. Johnson have every reason to be proud of the stock from which they have sprung, for its representatives have always possessed those sterling traits of character that are better than riches - viz.: honesty, industry and economy.

JOHNSON, William (deceased), who for many years served as Deputy Sheriff of Crawford County, Ill., was born in that county, September 19, 1822, and was reared on a farm, receiving but a limited education. A-stock-dealer for many years, Mr. Johnson handled a large amount of stock, and operated his farm which was a portion of the 234 acres entered by his father from the Government in what is now Montgomery Township, in 1818. His father was born in Kentucky, in 1775, and in 1803 married Nancy Mc- Carty, who was born in 1784, and they came to Crawford County, Ill, April 9, 1818. Mr. Johnson was elected Sheriff of Crawford County in 1862, on the Democratic ticket, Circuit 'Clerk in 1864, in 1876 was again elected Sheriff, and in 1882 was appointed Deputy Sheriff, which position he retained for many years. In 1848 he married Martha J. Ford, of Crawford County, and they became the parents of nine children: Price, Lauretta, Frank P., Amelia, Carroll, Luduskey, Martha, William D. and Maud.

JONES, Hon. Alfred Hanby. - There are some men to whom come honors as their just due, either through business, social or political sources. 'To be singled out for politieal preferment signifies much. It is a recognition of the personal and political prominence of- the recipient and an indieation that he has already rendered publie service worthy of reward. Mr. Jones' political eareer is one of which his county may well feel proud. Born on his father's farm in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, July 4, 1850, a son of John M. and Elizabeth Jones, his first literary instruction was received in the common school of his district, after which he attended college at Westfield, Ill, and later went to the National Normal School at Lebanon,

Ohio. After finishing his course in the latter institution, he was engaged in teaching for a time in the publie schools, but in 1873 began the study of law in the office of Callahan & Jones, and was admitted to the Bar in 1875. The following year he was appointed to fill an unexpired term as State's Attorney for Crawford County, creditably discharging the duties. of that office. In 1877 he entered into partnership with Hon. E. Callaban, the firm being now known as Callahan, Jones & Lowe. He has served one term as Representative in the State Legislature (1886- 88); for several years was a member of the Republiean State Central Committee and for thirty years has served as Chairman of the Republiean Central Committee for Crawford County. On October 15, 1899, he was appointed by Governor Tanner State Food Commissioner, was re-appointed by Governor Yates in July, 1902, and again by Governor Deneen in 1906. The credit of organizing the State Food Commission under the act adopted in 1899 thus devolved upon him, and the satisfactory manner in which he has discharged the duties of his office is attested by his repeated appontment to the same position. The main office is located No. 1619 Manhattan Building, Chicago. Here it requires thirty people to carry on the work of the Department; sixteen inspectors, one chief clerk, and three assistant clerks, one attorney, six chemists and three stenographers. The department also has a branch office at Robinson, where the legal work of the department receives attention, being conducted by Mr. Jones.

For three years Mr. Jones was President of the National Association of the State Dairy and Food Departments of the United States. Although his duties are many, he has always found time to be of assistance in home enterprises and the cause of education, and he has served for fifteen years on the City School Board, was President of the Board of Trustees of the Eastern Illinois Normal School at Charleston during the: erection and completion of its buildings, and has also served in the Robinson City Council for sixteen years. He helped organize Robinson's First National Bank, of which institution he is now a Director. Mr. Jones was a delegate to the Republiean National Conventions of 1896 at St. Louis and of 1908 at Chicago. He is regarded as a capable financier and a good citizen.

Mr. Jones has been married twice, his first wife having been Miss Ella M. Thompson of Kentland, Ind., to whom he was married in 1872. Two years later she died leaving him with one child, Gustavus. On November 26, 1878, he married Miss Catherine A. Beals, of Pickerington, Ohio, and they had one child, Roscoe, who lived but three years. Mr. Jones is one of the large property owners of Robinson, in addition to his beautiful home on King Street, being the owner of eleven of the brick business blocks around the square and many acres of rich farming land. In his religious affiliations he is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and .during -the erection of the new church edifice in Robinson he served as Chairman of the Building Committee, Several of the fraternal organizations count him as a leading member, and he is remarkably popular with all classes, and his publie service is widely appreciated throughout the State.

JONES Everett Leonidas - The rich black acres of the Illinois farms testify to the prosperity of the owners, and to their industry, thrift and enterprise Many of the farmers of this State are men of education, some of them prefessional men, who have returned to the farm, preferring its freedom and out door life to the more confining exactions of city duties. Residing on his fine farm of 197 acres in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Ill., Everett Leonidas Jones, a member of the Crawford County Bar, finds nothing to regret in the decision which resulted in his engaging in farming and stockraising.

Mr. Jones was born in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, May 3, 1868, a son of James William and Rachel Jones, both born in Honey Creek Township, where the father engaged in farming. After completing a common school course, he entered Otterbein University, at Westerville, Ohio, and attended it for three years, when he began teaching school. For three years he continued teaching, when he began the study of law in the office of Callahan, Jones & Lowe, and after two years was admitted to the Bar in 1895. For four years Mr. Jones carried on a lucrative practice in Danville, but then went back to the farm on which his early life had been spent, and located on his present property in Honey Creek Township. His house is commodious, and his barn and outbuildings are in excellent order. He carries on general farming and makes a specialty of raising a good grade of cattle and hogs.

On December 11, 1895, Mr. Jones was married in Montgomery Township to Stella Richey, a daughter of John S. Richey, who was born in Pennsylvania, while his wife was born in Meigs County, Ohio. Mr. Richey was a farmer and local Methodist preacher. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones are: William Hanby, born October 13, 1896; Paul Leonidas, born December 27, 1898; John Lorin, born August 15, 1901, died July 26, 1903; Theodore Russell, born July 17, 1904. Mr. Jones has been a member of the Methodist Church for two years, in which he is very active, now being Superintendent of the Sunday School. In politics he is a Republican.

JONES, Henry Franklin| M. D. - Of all the learned professions, that of the physician and surgeon stands highest and is the most exacting. Never is the physician through with his studies and discoveries. After the most rigorous training, hospital experience and constant reading, he spends the remainder of his lífe adding to his knowledge and increasing the scope of his usefulness. Dr. Henry Franklin Jones, of Flat Rock, Crawfor@ County, Ill., who is one of the expe- rienced and reliable physicians and surgeons of his county, was born in Flat Rock, September 10, 1853, a son of John Miller and Elizabeth (Ford) Jones, the former born December 25, 1815, and the latter on December 25, 1818. 'The farmer father gave his son a good early education and training, and then permitted him to attend the Norma] School at Robinson, Ill.

When but seventeen years of age he commenced teaching school, and having obtained a first-grade certificate, thus continued for four years. In 1873 he went to California remaining there during the summer when he went to Texas for the winter, and there remained until July of the following year. Then returning to California, for four years he was engaged in the stock and real estate business, in which he was successful. Being attracted towards the medical profession he went to the University of Louisville, Ky., from which he was graduated in 1885, with the degree of M. D., at thirty-two years of age, and in the following year began practice, 1886.

Dr. Jones belongs to the County, State and National Medical Associations as well as the Aesculapian and Medical Societies, and for the past twelve years has held the office of United States Pension Examiner. He is a member of the Masonie Order, an Odd Fellow, Knight of Pythias, Modern Woodmen, Royal Neighbor and Modern American. In polities he is a Republican, and a Methodist in religious belief, holding the position of Trustee in his church, of which he has been a member for thirty years.

On April 10, 1878, Dr. Jones married Miss Ella Kuhn, a daughter of John and Sarah (Shewman) Kuhn of Eldorado, Ohio, and to them a daughter, Ethel, was born, March 23, 1879, who married Lemuel Faucett. Mrs. Jones died January 22, 1883, and on January 1, 1890, Dr. Jones married as his second wife, Miss Martha E. Cullom, daughter of John E. and Martha Cullom. who are relatives of Senator Cullom and reside in Robinson, Ill. Dr. Jones and his present wife have had the following children: Boyce, born November 10, 1891; Agnes, born February 2, 1897, and Martha Elizabeth, born November 20, 1908.

JONES, J. William. - Stories of pioneer life read like fiction in these days of advanced civilization, and yet they are true in every detail. Too much credit cannot be given to those who were brave enough to face the perils and hardships of pioneer life and make possible the development that followed. One of the families that did more than its part in the improvement of Crawford County is that one to which William. Jones belongs. Mr. Jones was born in the County, one and a quarter miles west of Flat Rock, Ill., June 30, 1839. a son of John Miller and Elizabeth (Ford) Jones. John M. Jones was born in Butler County, Ohio, December 25, 1815, and came to Crawford County about 1832, entering 140 acres west of Flat Rock, in the timber. The wild game caused these early pioneers much trou- ble, and the only way to protect the crops was to surround them with a fence of pointed sticks. John M. Jones died in 1887, and his wife, who was born in Kentucky, December 25, 1818, died in 1881.

William Jones attended the subscription school, held in a log house, with a ten foot chimney that would také an eight foot back log. The upper floor was laid with split poles and the cracks between were filled with clay. This was all right as long as the weather was good, but when it rained or snowed, the moisture coming through the cabined roof would turn the clay into mud and the faces and clothing of both children and teacher suffered. The only light came through oiled paper in the windows. Split Slabs were used for both seats and desks, but in this primitive school Mr. Jones was thoroughly grounded in the common branches, and himself taught for ten years in the country schools. Later he went to Westfield College at Westfield, Ill. Mr. Jones enlisted August 14, 1862, in Company E, Ninety-eighth Illinois Mounted Infantry and was discharged July 7, 1865. He participated in all the engagements of his command, was promoted from private to Sergeant and later to Orderly Sergeant.

In polities Mr. Jones is a Republican, but has never aspired to any publie office, although he is interested in anything calculated to prove of benefit to the community. He belongs to Harrison Post, G. A. R., of Palestine. For fortytwo years he has been a consistent member of the United Brethren Church of which his wife is also a member.

On April 11, 1866, Mr. Jones was married at the residence of his father-in-law. one and threequarter miles west of Flat Rock, to Rachael Jane Thompson, daughter of William and Margaret 'Thompson, natives of Tennessee, who became pioneers of Crawford County. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Jones were: Orville Ellsworth, born April 12, 1867, married Anna Higgins, daughter of George Higgins, and they have two children - Roscoe and Lyman, one having died in infancy; Everett Lincoln, born July 3, 1868, married Estella Richey, daughter of John Richey, and their children are, William, Paul and Theodore; Ella, unmarried.

JONES, William C., was born July 15, 1848, at Hutsonville, Crawford County, Il. His father was Caswell Jones, a merchant of that place, who died Mareh 24, 1853. His mother was Mary Jones, whose maiden name was Mary Barlow. His mother remarried to Hon. E. Callahan, and the family removed to Robinson, Ill., in the summer of 1861. He was educated in the common sehools of Crawford County and at the Ohio Wesleyan University. Delaware, Ohio, and attended the law department of the University of Michigan in 1867-68. He was admitted to the practice of law on May 8, 1868, and immediately formed a partnership with Hon. E. Callahan, which continued until the year 1877. In 1871 and 1872 he was a member of the Twenty-seventh

General Assembly of Illinois. In 1877 he was elected County Judge and in 1879 he was elected to the judgeship of the Second Judicial Circuit of Illinois. To this latter position he was reelected in 1885, his term expiring 1891. During his term as County Judge, in connection with Judge Cunningham, he published *Jones and Cunningham's Practice in County Courts," Flood & Company, publishers, Chicago. This work has passed through three editions, and is still standard. In 1897 he was appointed, by Gov. John R. Tanner, Judge of the Court of Claims, and Served a period of four years.

In 1891 he formed a partnership for the practice of law with Hon. E. E. Newlin, Judge J. C. Eagleton being admitted to the firm two years later. This firm continued in business until 1897, when Mr. Newlin was elected to the judgeship of the Second Judicial Circuit, and the firm was reorganized under the name of Jones, Eagleton & Newlin. Mr. T. J. Newlin retiring from the firm in 1900, Mr. Edward S. Baker was admitted as a partner. This firm continued for a year when it was reorganized as Jones, MeCarty & Arnold, Mr. George D. MeCarty and William W. Arnold being the partners, which firm continued until June 15, 1903, when failing eye-sight caused the senior member of the 'firm to retire from practice. Since that time he has devoted himself exclusively to his private business. In 1893 he published the "Elements and Science of English Versification,' a work which was well received by the publie, and is still recognized as a standard. This same year he also published "Birch Rod Days," and other poems.

Mr. Jones has been active in building Robinson, and has always taken a great interest in his town and eounty. On the 25th of November, 1869, he was married to Mary H. Steel, daughter of James H. and Emily J. Steel. They have three children: Caswell S. Jones, who is vice-president and one of the directors of the First National Bank of Robinson, Ill., Dorothea J. Crebs, whose husband, Stewart E. Crebs, is cashier and director of the National bank of Carmi, IlL, and William C. Jones, Jr., who organized the Jones Clothing & Shoe Company in 1903, and is manager of the same.

Mr. Jones is a member of the Gorin Commandery No. 14, Knights Templar, Olney, Ill.; is a member of the First Presbyterian Church of Robinson, Ill.. and has affiliated with the Democratic party since he became a voter.

KENT, Henry B. - Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Ill, is considered by many the very garden spot of the world, so well favored is it. Not only do crops produce in gratifying abundance, but of late new sources of wealth have been discovered and many farmers are becoming wealthy through the development of oilwells on their property. Farming, however, continues to be the predominating industry, and Henry B. Kent is one who has made a success of farming and stock-raising. Mr. Kent was born on his present farm, January 22, 1859, a son of

Milton Kent (now deceased), a farmer of Honey Creek Township, who was born in Ohio and there became a farmer and carpenter. Milton Kent married in Ohio Mary E. Falkner, a native of Pennsylvania but reared in Ohio, where her parents located when she was a child. After marriage Milton and wife came to Crawford County, Ill., and settled in Oblong Township, but two years later removed to Honey Creek, and there Mr. Kent bought 80 acres of land the greater part of which was in timber. He cleared this property, placed it under cultivation, made other improvements upon it. From time to time he added to his acreage until at the time of his demise he was the owner of 155 acres. He and his wife became the parents of seven children - five sons and two daughters - all born in Honey Creek Township except the oldest, who was born in Oblong Township.

Henry B. Kent is the third son and fourth child of his parents. His education was received in the district sehools, and he was reared to manhood upon his present property. On October 12, 1889, he married Marie Caspingar, who was born in Lawrence County, Ill, and there reared. Mr. and Mrs. Kent are the parents of four children: Joseph, William, Henry and Grace, all born on the present homestead. Mr. Kent inherited 80 acres of his father's estate, and to this has added until he now owns 120 acres, a portion of which he has cleared, and has made improvements upon all of it. Like his father before him, he is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church.

KINCAID, Stewart (deceased). - Called away from an active career in the very prime of life, Stewart Kincaid naturally left much undone, but he left behind in the hearts of his family the memory of a kindly, Christian gentleman, one whose purpose was to make of his life something worthy to be remembered, and to increase the happiness of those about him. He was possessed of many excellent qualities which those who knew and loved him best fully appreciated, and, although more than a quarter of a century has now passed since his demise, he is still affectionately recalled, not only in his immediate circle, but by those who were his neighbors. Mr. Kineaid was born in Fountain County, Ind., August 31, 1841, a son of Alexander Kincaid, who eame to Crawford County in 1841, bringing his family with him in a wagon. The household goods were shipped by boat down the Wabash River. Arriving in Crawford County, Alexander Kincaid settled six miles south of Palestine, Ill., where he bought 80 acres of timber land, including a small two-room log house. With characteristic personal energy .and with the help of hired labor, he cleared off his land and improved it. His wife, Lucinda Jennie, was born in Vermont, and they were married on November 29, 1840, and became the parents of six children.

the Logan school. When he became old enough he assisted his father on the farm, and remained with him until he attained his majority. At that time he bought property of his own, and there his family still resides.

On May 21, 1865, Mr. Kincaid married Lydia Ann Fuller, a daughter of Isaac and Nancy (Shaw) Fuller, the latter being a daughter of . Joseph and Narcissa Shaw. Mr. and Mrs. Kincaid became the parents of six children: George P., born May 15, 1866; Samuel T., born July 17, 1867; Nelson R., born March 14, 1870, died July 5, 1895; Charles E., born October 3, 1871; Theron Rush, born March 29, 1873, and Stewart W., born October 12, 1875:

Mr. Kincaid was killed by a horse on August 26, 1875. He went into the barn to unharness his horses, but some hours having passed without his return to the house, Mrs. Kincaid became alarmed and went to look for him. The shock can well be imagined when she found him lying dead with the prints of the horse's hoofs on his chest. In his death the neighborhood lost a most worthy citizen and his family a devoted husband and father. During his active manhood, Mr. Kincaid was a farmer and stockman on Section 25, Montgomery Township.

George P. Kincaid married Mattie Self, daughter of Thomas Self, ä farmer of Crawford County, Indiana, and is a blacksmith at Heathville, Il. Samuel T., after attending the same school as his parents, now known as the Wheeler School, married Eliza Jane Browning, daughter of Elias and Ellen (Kent) Browning. She also attended the Wheeler School, and their childish affection matured into a love that resulted in their marriage, October 1, 1888. They are the parents of these children: Harold B., born April 22, 1890; Graydon E., born September 5, 1892; Tura E., born August 12, 1895; Tressa A., born January 24, 1898; Stewart Miles, born March 10, 1902; and Marshall, born December 7, 1905. Harold is attending college at Merom, Ind., while the rest are at school at home. Charles E. married Florencé Cawthorn, June 6, 1897, at Bradford, White County, Ark., and they are the parents of two children: Ethel Alma, born February 11, 1899; Osear W., born June 23, 1904. Charles E. now resides in Wayne County, Ill., near Johnsonville. Theron Rush married Flora Belle Seaney, daughter of Leander Seaney, September 18, 1898. They live in Wayne County, Ill, and are the parents of children as follows: Clem, born June 23, 1899; Frances May, born May 2, 1901; Nelson Bryan, born September 28, 1903; Hazel A., born September 3, 1905, and a boy, born December 4, 1907. Stewart W. married Lenora Mann, August 29, 1904. She is the daughter of Allen Mann of Robinson, Ill. They have two children: Myrtle Rochelle, born October 25, 1901, and Stewart Allen, born April 19, 1907. Stewart W. is a lawyer, and resides at Paris, Ill.

tion of many of the most representative citizens of their locality, whose energy and thrift have played so important a part in the development and advancement of their locality. Probably no section of the State is more richly endowed by nature for the successful prosecution of agricultural pursuits than this locality, and intelligent men have not been slow to grasp the opportunities offered. Among those who have made farming pay well upon their investment is Willoughby Kineaid of Section 25, Montgomery Township, a farmer and stockman. He was born in the township in which he now resides, October 16, 1866, a son of Edward Kincaid, also a native of Crawford County.

Willoughby Kincaid was reared and educated in his native township, and when not in school worked on his father's farm. On May 4, 1881, he married Alice Shaw, a daughter of Joseph and Lydia E. Shaw. Mrs. Kincaid was born and reared in the county. The children born to them are: Leona, born February 5, 1888; Virgil, born February 21, 1891, died December 18, 1907; Joseph Edward, born June 10, 1894; Amy, born Mareh 2, 1896; Homer, born November 18, 1897, and Grace, born December 12, 1902. -

Immediately after his marriage Mr. Kincaid moved to his own farm, and his family still reside there. Their first dwelling contained two rooms, and tne farm consisted of 50 acres, which Mr. Kincaid improved. He afterwards bought the old homestead, and moved the house to his original farm, and also made additions to it. He purchased 40 acres of the homestead farm, and now owns 921% acres, all in excellent condition, and devotes his attention to general farming and stock-Taising.

Mr. Kincaid has voted the Democratic ticket since reaching manhood, and is a member of the Union Christian Church, as also are his family, and of which he is a Trustee. Fraternally, he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America at Heathville, Ill., and is now Treasurer of his lodge. Mr. Kineaid has a blacksmith shop on his property and for twelve years has followed the trade of blacksmithing, making a specialty of horse-shoeing. Owing to their superior grade, his Jersey eattle and French coach-horses meet with a ready sale at fancy prices wherever offered.

KING, Henry W., for many years a farmer of Robinson Township, was born at Mount Vernon, N. Y., December 31, 1815, a son of Joel and Lulu (Loy) King, he born January 22, 1774, in Massachusetts, and she in New York. They were married May 4, 1797. Joel King was a farmer and later a shoemaker. He and his wife had ten children, of whom Henry W. was the youngest. The marriage of Henry W. King occurred at Lexington, Ky., when he was united to a Miss Utley, daughter of John Utley. After marriage he engaged in merchandising in Cincinnati, under the firm name of King, Shipley & Co., which house later became King, Corwin & Co. Selling his interests in 1860, for the following nine years Mr.

King clerked in Cincinnati, and then in the latter year came to Robinson Township, where he bought property and later made investments in Casey. Township, Clark County, and in Jasper County, and when he died left a large estate. Mr. King was a Democrat in political faith.

KING, Ira (deceased), for many years a prosperous farmer of Robinson Township, Crawford County, was born in New York State, January 22, 1822. His parents brought him to Illinois when he was a child, and they settled in Edgar County, where his father died. Later, in 1829, his mother brought her family to Crawford County, which was his home until his death. The family settlement was made seven miles west of Robinson. Mr. King became possessed of eonsiderable property, owning at one time 120 acres in one farm and 80 acres in another in Robinson Township; 400 acres in Oblong Township; 3,000 acres of uncultivated land in the Embarras River bottom, as well as a $10,000 residence in Robinson. In June, 1846, Mr. King married Caroline Beckwith, of Crawford County, who bore him three children: Eliza, Mary and Horace F., who lived to maturity, and Sophia E. and Annis, who died earlier in life.

KIRK, David W. - Proper credit will scarcely be given to the bravery, the persistence and the endurance of the pioneers until what they accomplished is fully appreciated. They not only made long and dangerous journeys to reach their backwoods homes, but located upon land which, if not covered with timber or under water, was unbroken, and every foot of sod had to be turned over before seed could be planted. On the land they secured through so much hardship, they erected cabins of logs in which they often spent the remainder of their lives without many of the conveniences which those of a later generation now regard as actual necessities. However, their labors were not in vain. Close upon their trail came railroads, factories, towns cities. Where once stood their little log houses are now either flourishing towns or well cultivated farms, with substantial houses, expensive barns and neat fences. The pioneer established schools to educate his children; he founded churches to minister to his spiritual needs, and died as he lived, an honest, hard-working, thrifty man, who sowed that others might reap.

Of such stock comes David W. Kirk, who resides on his well planned farm of 253 acres in Robinson Township, Crawford County. He was born in Licking County, Ohio, March 6, 1833, a son of William and Anna (Swisher) Kirk, both of whom were born in Licking County, Ohio, the former on November 3, 1807, and the latter, February 21, 1809. 'The family emigrated to Illinois, and on September 1, 1851, settled in Crawford County, purchasing 600 acres of land which were subsequently developed.

manhood, continued farming. He was past eighteen when he came with his parents to Crawford County, and there he lived at home and worked on the farm until his marriage, when his father gave him 89 acres of land. On this land he built a frame house into which he moved with his wife in the fall of 1856, and which has since been his home. His father later gave him 40 acres more, and he has since added to this property from time to time until he now owns 253 acres of the best land in the township. He belongs to the Patrons of Husbandry, and for sixty-five years has been a member of the Methodist Church and for many years a class-leader. In polities he is a Democrat.

On March 6, 1856, Mr. Kirk was married to Malinda Eaton, daughter of John and Nancy Eaton, who had been residents of Hutsonville Township from 1818. Mrs. Kirk died March 1, 1906, and, had she lived five days longer, her married life would have extended over a period of fifty years. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk were: Harvey B., born March 27, 1857; Mary Belle, born October 15, 1860; Anna Sivilla, born April 29, 1862, died February 28, 1866; Harry Allen, born August 14, 1865, died April 3, 1866; Nannie Ora, born August 27, 1867, died June 15, 1871; John William, born May E 1870; and Cora Almeda, born November 15, 1872.

KIRK, Mrs, Emily. - Among the very estimable residents of Robinson Township, Crawford County, and one who is possessed of a considerable amount of the richest farming land in Crawford County, is Mrs. Emily Kirk, widow of the late James S. Kirk, one of the representative farmers of this locality. Mrs. Kirk was born in Hancock County, Ohio, June 10, 1848, a daughter of James Madison Doty, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, November 28, 1821, and Frances Holmes Doty, born in Virginia, August 16, 1824. Mr. Doty died in Crawford County, October 2, 1859, and about four years afterward his widow married Jonah Price, her death occurring in Crawford County, January 21, 1886. The Doty family came to Oblong Township, Crawford County, from Ohio, when Mrs. Kirk was about three years old, and the father commenced farming as soon as he arrived. About 1855 he built a saw-mill near Annapolis, but about a year before he died sold his mill and retired to a farm.

Mrs. Kirk was educated in the district schoois of her neighborhood and reared on the home farm. She joined the Methodist Church in 1869 and has been one of its most faithful members ever since. On January 12, 1869, Miss Doty became the wife of James S. Kirk, near Oblong, Crawford County. The children born to them were: Anna Frances, born January 27, 1870, married Orlin Leggitt, April 3, 1895, and they have three children - Otho J. S., Cecil DeLoss and Kitty Lucile; Araminta Alma, born May 22, 1871, married Clement V. Leggitt, December 18, 1895, and they had these children - Blanche

Emily, Irene Amanda, Lola Opal and a baby boy, while three children (Gladys M., Laurel Estol and an üfinamed boy) are deceased; Oriel W., born March 24, 1873, married, September 17, 1904, Laura Inez Smith, and they have two girls - Aldah Lorie and Hazel Margaret; Alice Luella, born March. 1, 1875, married February 4, 1894, Dr. W. C. Faught (deceased), and they had five children - Joyce, Carroll Kirk, A. Newlin, William Burns and Alice; Martha Almeda, born Mareh 25, 1877, unmarried; Lola Acme, born January 15, 1879, unmarried; Otho J. D., born October 13, 1881, died November 28, 1884; Mary Ethel, born June 25, 1883, married September 17, 1907, Herman A. Tobin, and they have one son - Wendell Rolland; Orlin H., born July 27, 1885, married January 23, 1906, Alma Madge York, and they have two boys - Ward Belden and Graydon Lansford; and Mabel Fay, born October 12, 1887, unmarried.

Immediately after their marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Kirk moved to the four-room frame house situated on the farm which is now the Kirk home. The place, originally embracing 80 acres, was a part of the land entered from the Government by Mr. Kirk's father and later given to James S. Kirk, and to this land the latter added from time to time until at the time of his death he was the owner of 240 acres. He also replaced the original house with a large, modern frame residence, and also erected a substantial barn and outbuildings.

James S. Kirk, a son of William and Anna Kirk, was born in Licking County, Ohio, December 18, 1838, and died at his home October 31, 1907. In 1850 he was brought to Crawford County by his parents, and there resided until his death. During the Civil War (1861-64) he served in the Union Army, having enlisted in Company H, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, while attending school at Marshall, Ill. Mr. Kirk was a member of a family of nine children, the only surviving member of which is David W. Kirk. Like his wife, he early joined the Methodist Chureh, and he was a very sincere believer in its faith, and fully lived up to it in his life and died firm in it. His children were carefully trained in the Christian faith and they have proved themselves worthy his teaching. The funeral services were held in Kirk Chapel by the Rev. Van Treese, who delivered a touching sermon from the appropriate text: "Be thou faithful unto death and I will give thee a crown of life." Rev. 2:10. The body is interred in Kirk Cemetery.

Mr. Kirk was an excellent farmer, a good business man, and an excellent neighbor. A man of high principles, absolute integrity and true Christian charity, he is a characfer not to be forgotten, but to be held in affectionate remembrance for his real worth to mankind. Though gone, his life and example remain as the herltage of his children and his neighbors.

requirements of their profession being such that they are compelled to be intelligent, well educated and thoroughly versed in the lore of their calling. Among those who have been successful practitioners of Crawford County for a number of years is Dr. John W. Kirk of Oblong, who was born at Robinson, May 31, 1870, a son of David W. Kirk, who was born in Licking County, Ohio, and is now a farmer who owns good oil-producing property north of Robinson.

Dr. Kirk first attended the common schoo) in Robinson Township, and then took a course at the Union Christian College at Merom,- Ind., whence he went to the Central Normal School at Danville, Ind. His medical studies were begun at Louisville Hospital Medical College. where he Spent three years, being graduated with degree of M. D., in 1897. Following this he took a postgraduate course at the Chicago Polyclinic and in July, 1897, he began practicing at Oblong, where he has since continued, firmly establishing himself in the confidence of the people here.

On January 15, 1902, Dr. Kirk married in Oblong. Valeria Leggett, daughter of one of Crawford County's most respected citizens. Dr. and Mrs. Kirk have two children: Florence, born November 1, 1902, and Harold, born August 15. 1904. Dr. Kirk has been a Methodist since boyhood. 1n politics he is a Democrat, although too much occupied with his profession to take a very active part in civic affairs. He is earnest, conscientious and unremitting in his studies, and his patients have learned to depend upon him and to trust to his judgment. While much younger than many of his associates, Dr. Kirk is recognized as one of the leading men of his profession in the county, and his suceess has certainly been gained through hard work and vigorous endeavor.

KIRK, Oriel William. - While Crawford County is the home of many farmers, since the discovery of oil there, a new interest has been developed and the value of property has been greatly enhaneed. Not only are the people of the county interested in the production of the crude oil, but in the many other industries connected with the.oil business, and new capital and blood have been infused here that have aided greatly in the advancement of the county. Oriel William Kirk is one of the farmers and oil producers of Robinson Township. He was born here March 24, 1873. a son of James S. Kirk. James S. Kirk was born in Licking County, Ohio, December 18, 1838, and died October 31, 1907. He was a veteran of the Civil War. His wife was Emily Doty, from Hancock County, Ohio, a daughter of James Madison Doty, and they had ten children, of whom Oriel William Kirk was the third in order of birth. Nine of these ten children are still living.

Mr. Kirk attended district school, then high school in Robinson, and still later he went to the Gem City Business College at Quincy, from which he was graduated with diploma, May 16, 1895. Upon leaving school he began farming, and has since been engaged in that line of work. On September 17, 1904, he was married at St. Elmo,

Fayette County, Ill., by the Rev. B. S. Smith, to Laura Inez Smith, daughter of Azariah and Mary (Padgett) Smith. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Kirk: Aldah Laura, born March 28, 1906, and Hazel Margaret, born June 7, 1908.

Mr. Kirk owns 80 acres of land, and has four producing wells, one with a capacity of 110 barrels every twenty-four hours, which has been kept up for the past ten months. Mr. Kirk owns property in Porum, Oklahoma. He is a Republican in polities, and has always taken an active interest in township affairs. He has been a member of the Methodist Church for sixteen years, while his wife has been a member of the same for nine years. Fraternally Mr. Kirk is a member of the Modern Woodmen.

The history of Mrs. Kirk's family is as follows: Her father, Azariah Robert Smith, was born in Richland County, Ill., June 1, 1859. His wife, Mary Padgett, was born in Crawford County, Ill, March 4, 1859. The children born tothem were: Laura Inez, born August 30, 1884, in Crawford County near Hardinville; Maudie Ellen, born July 26, 1886, died July 3, 1888; Minnie Edith, born October 15, 1888; Lester Sherman, born February 7, 1890; Oden Franklin, born August 2i, 1894; Elma Lavonia, born May 16, 1899; and Victor L., born September 15, 1905.

KIRTLAND, Orlando B., who with his brother D. P. Kirtland has been associated with the grain and milling interests of Crawford County, under the firm style of Kirtland Bros., for many years, is one of the reliable and responsible business men of Oblong. He was born in New York State, June 20, 1853, and was educated in the graded schools of his native State. In 1877, being ambitious to try his luck in a new country, he went to Kansas and there engaged in farming and stock dealing, but in 1879 returned to New York. In 1881 he located in Oblong, and founded the firm of Kirtland Bros., which at one time did a very extensive business.

KITCHELL, J., for many years a merchant of Palestine, Crawford County, was born in that city, January 2, 1839, a son of James H. and Nancy (Gill) Kitchell, the latter born February 3, 1802, and died in 1879. They were the parents of thirteen children. Mr. Kitchell was educated in Palestine, and began his business life as a clerk. In 1857 he went to Washington, D. C., and was a clerk in the House of Representatives, and when he returned in 1859, he formed a partnership with Judge Allen in a geueral store. This association continued thirteen years, when they sold out and founded a hardware and agricultural implement business. This was continued until 1877 when Mr. Kitchell went out of business and gave his attention to the duties of Township Assessor, holding that office for three successive terms. In the spring of 1881 he entered the employ of J. L. Woodworth, a hardware 'merchant. Mr. Kitchell married in Palestine, December 5, 1872, Mrs. R. M. Wilson, who was born March 29, 1844, and she bore him two children, Anna and Bessie. Mrs. Kitchell was a daughter of Presley O. and Maria (Kitchell) Wilson. Mr. Kitchell is a Democrat in polities, and a Presbyterian in religious faith.

KRAMER, Martin. - Germany has given to this country many of its most representative and substantial citizens, including those who have attained to greatness in public, military and civil life. The vigorous training given Germans in every branch of learning or industry fits them for almost any position in life, and it is very seldom that a native of the Fatherland becomes a charge upon his adopted community. A prominent feature of their character is illustrated in their habits of thrift and industry, and they seldom fail to become important factors in whatever locality they select as an abiding place.

Crawford County is fortunate in being the home of a number of native born Germans who served their adopted country as soldiers during the Civil War, among these being Martin Kramer, who was born in Germany, July 28, 1842, a a son of Frank Kramer. When Martin was two years old, the family came to America, first locating in Galveston, Texas, whence they moved to New Orleans, then to St. Louis and finally to Cincinnati.

The early education of Martin Kramer was obtained in Galveston, Texas, but when the family went to Cincinnati, he obtained work as a goldmelter in the manufacturing jewelry plant of Duehme Co. Still later, he learned the trade of a clothing cutter and commanded liberal wages in Cincinnati. In April, 1903, he came to Crawford County, and located on his present farm in La Motte Township. 'This property had been purchased twenty years before by Mr. Kramer, from the heirs of his father-in-law, John Hughes, who settled on the farm in 1889 and died in 1879.

At the age of nineteen, on April 19, 1861, Mr. Kramer enlisted as a private at Cincinnati, in Company K, Ninth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Col. Robert L. McCook commanding, and after serving three years, was mustered out at Camp Dennison, Cincinnati, in April, 1864. On February 6, 1865, he reenlisted for one year in Hancock's Veteran Reserve Corps. During his periods of enlistment he had the privilege of serving under some of the greatest generals of the war, including Gens. McClellan, Rosecrans, George H. Thomas - popularly known as "Pap" Thomas-- and participated in the following engagements: Missionary Ridge, Mill Springs, and many of the battles waged in Kentucky and Virginia; then was sent to Pittsburg Landing, was in the battle of Corinth, and was one of the many who made the celebrated March to the Sea. Reenlisting at Columbus, Ohio, he was sent to Camp Stoneman, Washington, D. C., thence to Winchester, in Eastern Virginia, and was on his way to join the army in Richmond, when he heard the terrible news of the assassination of the President. He was one of those who participated in the Grand Review at Washington, and was mustered out at Harper's Ferry. For three months after the execution of Mrs. Surratt and the other conspirators connected with the assassination of President Lincoln, he was on guard at the capital.

The parents of Mr. Kramer spent their lives in Cincinnati, where the father died in 1880, and the mother in 1896. There Mr. Kramer married Miss Hughes, daughter of John Hughes, and they had several children, but Russell is the only one now surviving. He was born December 8, 1870, has three daughters, and is foreman of the cutting department of a large wholesale clothing house of Cincinnati, Ohio. Miss Adelaide S. Kramer, a granddaughter of Mr. and Mrs. Martin Kramer, has been reared by them. She is about nineteen years old and is an artist of unusual ability. When only twelve years old she painted landscapes that evoked unstinted praise from crities who appreciate artistic work. She is also a talented elocutionist of exceptional power. She was educated at the academy of Notre Dame, at Covington, Ky., where she remained five years, and then attended the Lewis Institute in Chicago, where she pursued her art studies and from which she was graduated with honors in the summer of 1907.

LACKEY, Wiliam T. - Among the venerable residents of Oblong Township, Crawford County, Ill., one who has borne his part in the wonderful development of his section of the State and in promotion of its agricultural supremacy, is William T. Lackey, the subject of this sketch. Mr. Lackey was born near Robinson, Ill, September 13, 1838, a son of Richard Lackey, and grandson of John Lackey. Richard Lackey came from Kentucky to Illinois with his father John Lackey, in 1826, and they settled four miles northwest of Palestine, Crawford County. The trip was made overland in wagons. Wild game of all kinds abounded, including deer, wild turkey and wolves. John Lackey entered land from the Government. In addition to being a farmer. he was a wheelwright, and taught his trade to his son Richard. The latter followed the trade and farmed. Richard Lackey married Rachael Wood, daughter of Joseph Wood, a pioneer farmer and father of Captain Wood. During his lifetime Joseph Wood owned about 3,000 acres of land which he divided among his children. Richard Lackey's children were as follows: William T., Mary, Joseph, Nancy, Caroline and Margaret, all of whom are living except the last named.

William T. Lackey was educated in the sub- Seription schools of his neighborhood, in part, and had to walk three miles to the little log School, where he sat on a slab seat. While the schoolhouse was rude, the teaching was thorough and he was well grounded in the common branches. : In the summers and after he had finished school, he worked for his father until his marriage, which occurred November 21, 1861, to Mary Moyer, daughter of Daniel Moyer. She was born in Perry County, Ohio, and was there educated and became a school teacher. After mar- riage Mr. Lackey bought 80 acres of his present farm. which was practically cleared. There was no house on the land, however, so he erected one of hewed logs and occupied it for about thirty years. In 1885 a frame addition of four rooms was added, and in 1901 the log house was moved away and its place was taken by a frame structure. Mr. Lackey has erected every building on his premises. He cleared all of his second purchase of 120 acres with the exception of seven acres, so now he has one of the finest properties in the county. In 1906 and 1907 oil was discovered on his land, and he now has ten wells in active operation. In politics he is a Republican and has served as School Director several terms. He and his wife are members of the Christian Church, and Mr. Lackey is very liberal in his contributions to this denomination. Always a hard worker, he was accustomed to farm life from earliest childhood, and was from the start familiar with every detail of farm management, so that he is and has been well fitted to successfully conduct his large property and gain from it an excellent income.

Mr. and Mrs. Lackey became the parents of nine children: Rose E., wife of M. W. Purcell of Stoy; Hannah J., wife of W. C. Sutton of Montgomery Township; Joseph H., of Oblong Township; Rachel C., wife of Harlan Connell of Stoy ; Thomas J., of Oblong Township; Elmer R., who is on his father's farm; Richard D., on his father's farm; W. Elbert, on his father's farm; and Barbara (deceased), who was the wife of Ulysses Inboden of Oblong Township.

LAMB, James (deceased), who was one of the leading grain and implement merchants of Robinson, Ill., for many years, was born October 5, 1817, in Shenandoah County, Va., and his parents dying when he was a child, he was taken to Licking County, Ohio, by an uncle in 1824. On August 18, 1842, Mr. Lamb married in Licking County, Mary Randall, who bore him the foilowing children: William J., Mrs. Caroline M. Newlin, Mary, Emma, Lillie and Stephen A. D. After his marriage Mr. Lamb began farming in Ohio, and in 1847 he moved to Crawford County, where he purchased 120 acres in Licking Township. Later he sold this and bought 300 acres in the township, and improved this farm with an orehard and good buildings. In 1871, he moved to Robinson, and embarked in the implement business, to which he added the handling of grain and building up a large trade. He also owned an excellent residence in Robinson.

and other varied natural resources that need but proper exertion to turn them into material wealth. The farmers of this commonwealth have not been slow in taking advantage of these resources, especially in Crawford County, and among them is Salathiel Lamb, now retired, of Martin Township (Range 13 on Section 3), who was born in Randolph County, N. C. His father, Dun Lamb, eame to Crawford County in

1856, and located north of Robinson. Dun Lamb was born in North Carolina, but became one of the early pioneers of Crawford County. An extended sketch of him will be found elsewhere in this volume.

Salathiel Lamb was ten years old when brought to this part of Illinois, and his education was secured in the subscription schools, while at the same time learning to hew down the forests and till the soil. At the age of twenty-one years he left home, and began to work for himself, in which he continued one Season. He then went to Robinson, where he began learning the blacksmith trade which he followed for ten years. At the expiration of that period he returned to farming, buying 80 acres of land which he at once began to clear and cultivate. From time to time he added to his holdings until he now has 200 acres. Oil was located on his property in May, 1907, and he has now ten producing wells, which greatly increase its value. In politics he is now a Prohibitionist, although originally a Democrat. He has for many years been a devout member of the Christian Church, and so imbued did he become with its teachings, that he studied at home until he was qualified to preach, and has been a local preacher for forty years.

On August 10, 1851, Mr. Lamb married Elizabeth Jones, born and reared in Indiana, and by this marriage there was one child - William D. Lamb. Mrs. Lamb died August 15, 1853, and Mr. Lamb was married again in 1854 to Martha Shipman, and they had the following children: Mary Ellen, Elizabeth Jane and Mary Ellen (II), all three deceased; Steven Sylvester, Charlotte E. and Martha A. (the last three still living), and Salathiel J., deceased - all born on the homestead except the two eldest, who were born in Hardinville. 'The second Mrs. Lamb died in July, 1879. On December 18, 1879, Mr. Lamb married Mrs. Anna D. (Baliff) McConn, the widow of Thomas McConn, formerly a farmer of Indiana and Illinois, who died in 1865. Mrs. Lamb. was born in Clark County, Ill, January 28, 1836, and was there reared and edueated. She had six Children by her first marriage, two sons and four daughters: Caroline, Josephine (deceased), Andrew (deceased), May, James and Lilly D. (deceased), all born and reared in Clark and Crawford Counties except Lil D., who was born in Indiana.

The good accomplished by this venerable leader cannot be overestimated, for not only has he taught the principles of his faith, but he has lived them in his life, and his kindly deeds and his uprightness of character testify to his nobleness of purpose and devotion to principle.

LARRABEE, George H. - The agricultural interests of Illinois are in the hands of competent men who are constantly engaged in raising values and developing the locality in which they are making their homes. Much credit is due to the enterprising farmers who have done so much to raise the standard of value, and among those who have well borne their part along these lines is George H. Larrabee, a farmer, stock-raiser and dealer in real estate, on Section 22, Oblong Township, Crawford County. He was born in the Township in which he now resides February 26, 1865, a son or Hiram Larrabee, a retired farmer of Oblong, and a native of Licking County, Ohio, where he was born April 1, 1830. He was there reared, and was a railroad engineer and stage driver until about 1856, when he came to Crawford County, settling in Oblong Township, making the trip with his father, John Larrabee, the pioneer of the family, who entered land from the Government which he improved. John Larrabee died in Oblong Township in December, 1872.

Hiram Larrabee was one of seven children born to John Larrabee, and was about twentyfour years old when he was married in Oblong Township to Virginia Wood, the daughter of Wood. After marriage he bought land in the same township which he cleared and for years was one of the heaviest land-owners in the county, for a time being the proprietor of 700 acres. Here he resided until 1893, when he retired to Oblong. He has always been an active Democrat and in 1884 drove 40 horses to Robinson from Oblong to a Democratic rally. In religious matters, he is a devout Methodist. He had three children: George H., Alma M. and Everett. Their mother died in 1872. He subsequently married Sarah Jane Ackamire, a daughter of Jesse Ackamire, a farmer of Oblong Township, and by this marriage there have been four children: Bertha Lefever, Louie Kentner, Josie May Odell and one who died in infancy - all born in Oblong Township.

George H. Larrabee was reared in Oblong Township where he attended the district schools, and later went to the Union Christian College at Merom, Ind. When he returned from college he bought a farm of 40 acres, which he improved. and added to his holdings until he now owns 260 acres, the greater part of which is improved. He moved onto his present farm in December, 1907. In addition to one farm in Oblong Township, he owns two in Jasper County, and all his lands are valuable. Mr. Larrabee was married July 24, 1887, to Ollie M. Hargis, born in Crawford County, a daughter of J. W. Hargis, a farmer of Licking Township and one of the early settlers of the County. Mr. and Mrs. Larrabee have two children: Edna E. and Adin H., both born in Crawford County. Mr. Larrabee has handled considerable realty in Illinois, Oklahoma and Missouri, and since 1902 has devoted the greater part of his time to dealing in farm lands. He has been very successful in this line of business and is in possession of some very choice property for disposal. On his farms Mr. Larrabee makes a specialty of raising high-grade stock and Poland-China hogs. His farm is one of the best in Crawford County, while the two in Jasper County are very productive also. In politics Mr. Larrabee is a Democrat, and fraternally is a member of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Modern Woodmen of

LAUE, John C. - The business world has come to acknowledge the importance of huge corporations whose united interests make possible production of superior quality at the lowest prices. Being able to control large volumes of trade, and owning extensive sources of supply, such corporations can regulate outputs and prices in a way not possible to individual concerns, and the publie benefits accordingly. Among these concerns that have attained national importance is the Laue Hardware Company of Robinson, with the following proprietors: W. E. Laue, John C. Laue and George H. Laue. the company succeeding the old established house of George N. Newhold Hardware Company. The Laues came from Beecher City, Ill., February 15, 1908, where they had conducted a similar concern for many years, and had become thoroughly identified with the hardware trade. They took over the immense stock and immediately began to enlarge the plant and added other departments to the plant at No. 115-117-119 and 121 inclu- Sive South Cross Street. The stock carried embraces every line of hardware, including vehicles, wagons, farm implements, fencing, harness, shelf hardware, and seeds of every kind, their stock being the most complete of its kind in the country.

The plant has a frontage of 70 feet, while on the south is the office and drafting room. While the firm is a new one in this locality. the concern has long been before the publie, and the new proprietors have a reputation that ensures fair dealing and the highest quality of goods, and their prices are at all times as low as is consistent with the merits of their goods and the superiority of their service. Not only does the house enjoy a very large trade throughout the county, but it has men in an extensive territory, and the volume of business already shows a healthy and very encouraging increase.

LEACH, Reuben (deceased), who for many years was one of the successful farmers of Oblong Township, was born in Lincoln County Ky., September 17, 1807. In 1830 he came to Montgomery County, Ill, but two months later located in Crawford County, in 1831 purchasing a farm of 200 acres, three-quarters of a mile north of Oblong. In 1870 Mr. Leach was elected Sheriff of the County, and served two years, when he retired to Oblong. He also held other offices, and was Justice of the Peace for fifteen years. Mr. Leach was married July 15, 1834, to Amelia Steward, who died July 30, 1854. On. Mareh 30, 1856, he married Lydia Bowman of Perry County, Ohio. The children of Mr. Leach were as follows: Polly, David S., Jane, Alfred C. John A. and Alice Ella. Mr. Leach was a son of Matthew and Polly (Gullet) Leach, natives of Virginia who had children as follows: William, Reuben, Matthew, Davidson, Jane, Susan, Phoebe, and Christina. >

LEAVERTON, Hon. John Wesley. - Merit writes itself upon the pages of time, and the inscription can never be obliterated. Time and again it has been proven that it is nobler to be a private in the ranks of progress, than an officer among those who are but dead weights in the way of onward and upward movement. Among those who have done much to make Crawford County what it is to-day, and especially that part of it comprised in Palestine, will always beremembered the name of Hon. John Wesley Leaverton, of Palestine, who was born in Greensboro, Queen Anne County, Md., April 14, 1840. His father, John Hall Leaverton, was born in Caroline County, Md., March 20, 1813, and died in Marion County, Ohio, March 22, 1852, when thirty-nine years of age. Mr. Leaverton's mother, whose maiden name was Tamsey J. Ireland, was born in Caroline County, Md., April 5, 1815, and died January 19, 1869, in Marion County, Ohio. The grandparents of Mr. Leaverton, Moses and Nancy (Hall) Leaverton, the latter of Dutch ancestry, came from England and, taking up Government land, founded the family in Caroline County, Md., and in 1846 Jonn Wesley Leaverton was taken to Marion County, Ohio, where his childhood was passed on a farm.

There he married on December 5, 1867, Delilah Andrew, born November 7, 1834, in Caroline County, Md. a daughter of John B. and Elizabeth (Ireland) Andrew, and a member of an old English family, one of her ancestors, George Andrew, Jr., having received patents to land in 1755, the grant for 'which, executed on parehment by Frederick, Lord Baron of Baltimore, Md. with the English seal stamped in wax hanging to it, is now in Mr. Leaverton's possession.

On November 7, 1861, John W. Leaverton enlisted in Company H, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, Colonel James Cantwell commanding, and served in some of the most noted battles of the great struggle, including Bull Pasture Mountain, near McDowell, W. Va.; Cedar Mountain, second battle of Bull Run, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg and the fight from Chattanooga to Atlanta, Resaca, Pumpkin Vine Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, the March to the Sea with Sherman, Averysboro, Bentonsville and numerous other small engagements and skirmishes. The regiment was mustered out at Columbus, Ohio, July 25, 1865. He had marched from Stevenson, Ala., to Savannah, Ga., thence through the Carolinas to Goldsboro, to Raleigh and Richmond and thence on to Washington, D. C., participating in Grand Review. Mr. Leaverton did not escape without hospital experience, in the fall of 1862 being sent to Finley Hospital at Washington, D. C., where he remained two weeks, then rejoined his regiment. In the fall of 1863, after the battle of Gettysburg, he was again taken sick, and sent to Fairfax Hospital, near Alexandria, Va., where he remained about three weeks, and once more rejoined his regiment. He was wounded by a minnie ball near Atlanta, Ga.,

At the close of the war Mr. Leaverton returned to Marion County, Ohio, where he was married, and then came to Palestine, Crawford County, Ill., arriving October 1, 1871. In the spring of 1871 he and his father-in-law, had come to this locality and Mr. Andrew bought quite a large tract of land and town property, of which he sold Mr. and Mrs. Leaverton 160 acres, one-half mile east of Palestine. Mr. Leaverton also bought 79 acres of land adjoining the Andrew tract. It was on this place Mr. and Mrs. Leaverton commenced their life in Crawford County, and for some time he owned and operated a saw-mill He has improved and put under cultivation about 200 acres. On the death of her father, Mrs. Leaverton inherited his property. In 1883 Mr. and Mrs. Leaverton took up their residence in the village of Palestine, and in 1890 moved to their present home, where they have since resided. Mrs. Leaverton is also the owner of 306 acres adjoining on the south of this property, as well as tracts of 32. 140 and 85 acres in the north. They have donated a beautiful park of 15 acres to the Township, which is known as Leaverton Park.

Mr. Leaverton has given his assistance to numerous publie enterprises and has been President of the Building and Loan Association of Palestine for twenty-two years. His war service entitles him to membership in the G. A. R., and

Palestine, and his fraternal connections are with the Red Men. In political matters he is a stanch Republiean, and has held all the township offices, except those of Commissioner and Constable. In 1902 he was elected a Representative in the Forty-third General Assembly, and during his term served on the following committees: Agriculture, Building and Loan Associations, Drainage and Waterways, Elections, Farm Drainage, Judicial Apportionment, Military Affairs, State and County Fairs, Soldiers' and Sailors' Home, and Soldiers' Orphans' Home, on all rendering faithful and efficient and valuable service. Mrs. Leaverton belongs to the Women's Relief Corps Auxiliary to the G. A. R., of which she has been State President for two terms, and is a member of the W. C. T. U., and has held the position of Financial Secretary for her district in the latter organization for five years.

LEFEVER, Andrew F. - Among the men who have borne their part in the development and advancement of Oblong Township, this county, is Andrew F. Lefever, who was born in Marion County, Ohio, March 26, 1843, a son of Abram Lefever, who was born in Virginia. Abram Lefever's father came from France to America with Lafayette during the war of the Revolution, and fought for seven years as captain of a company of colonial troops. When the war was ended, he married a German girl and settled down in Richland County, Ohio.

tion, moved from Virginia to Ohio, where he continued farming, and died in August, 1847. He was married in Ohio to Mary Close, a. native of Pennsylvania, and they had children as follows: Elvina, of Indiana; William A., of Michigan ; John, deceased, formerly of Indiana; James of Oblong, Ill.; Charity Ann, of Indiana; Robert, deceased, formerly of Ohio; Parmelia, of Ohio; Andrew F., and Minard who died in Ohio.

Andrew F. Lefever was educated in the log school houses of Ohio, and also was taught farming by his father. He thus had learned how to fell the trees, clear land and till the soil. His marriage occurred in Ohio to Sarah Curfman, a daughter of John Curfman, an Ohio farmer, and born in Crawford County, that State. He came to Oblong Township, Crawford County. Ill., in 1873, and located on the property his son now operates, there buying 155 acres in conjunction with his brother James M. Later they bought 50 acres more, after which the property was equally divided. He is now living retired in Oblong village, to which place he moved in 1905, and there owns the home which he occupies. He also owns about 230 acres in Oblong Township, and has two oil wells in active operation, which were opened in 1908. In politics he is a Republican, having cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. For two years he served as Highway Commissioner. He is a member of the G. A. R., having served as a soldier of the Civil War. The United Brethren Church is his religious home. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever have had nine children, namely: Isaac Francis; James Robert, who died when fifteen months old; Mandy, Willam L., Ellen May, Ida, Pearly Parmelia, Margaret Edith, Charles Arthur.

In 1862 Mr. Lefever enlisted in Company B, Sixty-fourth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, under Major Williams, but later Colonel Forsythe took charge, and stil later Colonel Ferguson. The Captain of the company was James Brown. Mr. Lefever participated in the following battles: Chickamauga. Missionary Ridge, Buzzard's Roost, Big Shanty, Ga., and later was sent to join General Thomas and took part in the battle of Nashville, Tenn., where he finally received his diseharge in 1864 and returned home.

LEFEVER, James M., now retired from the active duties of life, beloved by his children and friends, and one of the honored residents of Oblong, Crawford County, Ill., was born in Ohio, January 31, 1837, a son of Abram Lefever. Until 1873 Mr. Lafever was a farmer and stockraiser in Marion County, Ohio, where he and his brother, Andrew F., owned 60 acres of land, but having decided to move further west, they sold their farm and coming to Crawford County, Ill., -settled in Oblong Township, where they bought 155 acres of land in Sections 24 and 13, later adding 50 acres in Section 13. At this time Mr. Lefever and his brother divided their mutual holdings. After the division, James M. Lefever bought 40 acres more in Section 13. His next purchase was 80 acres in Section 23; the next was 57 acres in Section 13; the next, 52 acres in Section 23; the next, 40 acres in Section 24, and then he and his son John A. purchased 30 acres in Section 13. His holdings now aggregate 41015 acres, and he has fourteen oil wells in active production on his property, oil having been discovered here in 1907. In 1899 Mr. Lefever bought four lots and a house in Oblong village and moved there in the fall of that year. In 1902 he added another lot. In 1900 he built a barn on his village property. Mr. Lefever delights in telling of the early hardships, and of the days when he worked on the land and his brother ran a threshing machine, wearing out two machines in the business.

Mr. Lefever was married in Marion County, Ohio, where he had been reared and educated, his bride being Susanna Curfman, daughter of John Curfman, a farmer of Crawford County, Ohio. Mr. and Mrs. Lefever had children as follows: John A. Eva J., W. A., James T. and Mary Etta, who died at the age of ten months. Mr. Lefever has been a Republican since the formation of the party. His religious home is with the United Brethren Church, and he is respected there as he is throughout the community for his many excellent qualities, and for his business enterprise which has resulted in his advancement from very humble cireumstances to the rank of a wealthy citizen.

LEFEVER, John A. - The steady tides of immigration which have flowed into the fertile States of the Middle West, have had their part in the marvelous development of this part of the Union, but they take away none of the credit due to the man who dared to brave the terrors of the wilderness and to whose unremitting efforts has come ultimate success. That kind of a man will not be forgotten whenever the Story of American development is told. John A. Lefever, a farmer and stock-raiser of Oblong Township, Crawford County, is a native of Marion County, Ohio, where he was born August 17, 1867, a son of James M. Lefever, one of the pioneers of the Township, who was also born in Ohio, was there reared, educated and married to Susan Curfman, also à native of that State. They became the parents of five children, three of whom were born in Ohio, and two in Crawford County, namely: John A., Eva, William Wesley, James T., and Etta, deceased.

In 1873 James M. Lefever with his brother emigrated to Crawford County, Ill., his family following later by rail. They settled in Oblong Township, and there bought 160 acres, a part of which he cleared. The two brothers shared this land, working in partnership, and at one time they owned 400 acres, cleared it off and transformed it into a very valuable property, and here James lived until 1900, when he retired to Oblong where he now resides. In politics he is a Republican and has taken quite an active part in local affairs. In religious affairs, he is