Crawford County, Illinois - Chapter with an unread heading (no. 17 of those read), 1909 (part 9 of 11)

December 26. 1894, Dr. Shipman was married to Clara Hurlbert, born in Kosciusko County, Ind., a daughter of William and Jane (Hall) Hurlbert, of Robinson. Mr. Hurlbert came from Indiana to Martin Township in 1881, and engaged in farming for some years. Mrs. Shipman attended the district schools of Martin Township and at Robinson, and is a very well educated and charming lady. Dr. and Mrs. Shipman have two children: Pansy and Fresco, both born in Crawford County. In polities Dr. Shipman is a Democrat and fraternally he is a Mason. He has firmly established himself in the confidence of the people of his neighborhood, who admire and respect him, and his success in his practice is something of which he may well be proud.

SHIPMAN, James. - Thriftily engaged in farming and stock-raising on his well-developed farm, on Section 34, Martin Township, Crawford County, James Shipman is one of the representative men of his neighborhood, having been born in Martin Township April 8, 1841. His father, William Shipman, was one of the pioneers of Martin Township, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. James Shipman, the fourth born child and third son in a family of twelve children, was educated in the early subscription Schools, and as soon as old enough began working, remaining with his father until he attained his majority. Prior to this he had enjoyed the advantage of a course at the high school at Olney, Ill., and had thus been qualified to become a teacher. For about four years he taught school successfully in Crawford County, but his inclination turned his attention to farming, and he returned to the farm and has since been engaged in agricultural pursuits.

On Novembef 3, 1865, he married Maria A. Fritz, who was born in Indiana, the daughter of Adam Fritz, a farmer, and one of the early settlers of Martin Township, but now deceased. Mrs. Shipman was about eight years old when she came to Martin Township with her parents who settled on wild land, and she was there edueated in the district schools. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have become the parents of the following children: George, deceased ; Mary Katherine, is the wife of Peter Greggs; Sarah Jane, deceased; Ira E.; Ezra Edward; Orley, deceased - all born in Martin Township.

For some years Mr. Shipman operated a sawmill and also farmed on rented land for a time, when he bought 40 acres which he later sold and bought 120 acres. This he improved, but six years later bought another farm of 160 acres upon which he moved in 1882. Mr. Shipman also improved this farm, but in 1908 removed to the village of Hardinville. On this property is one oil well and plenty of gas. Mr. Shipman has been a life-long Democrat and has been active in local affairs.. For four years he was Justice of the Peace; for one year held the office of Supervisor of the township, and has held many other offices, being an efficient and conscientious publie official. Fraternallv he is a Mason. His life tells the story of a man whose years have been well spent, whose industry has been well rewarded, and whose publie deeds, like his private ones, reflect the character of the man.

SHIPMAN, James Newton, one of the representative and prosperous farmers of Hardinville, Martin Township, Crawford County, Ill., is a native of that township. being born February 25, 1853, a son of Savilla D. Shipman, deceased, who was a pioneer of Martin Township, born in Jackson County, Ind., February 5, 1824. He came to Crawford County with Stephen Shipman, his father, and attended the early subscription schools held in log schoolhouses, and grew to maturity on the homestead, helping to cultivate and improve the land, and transform it into the fine property it is to-day. now owned by Savilla Shipman, Jr. The father was married in Martin Township to Mary Doyle, who was born in that township, January 1, 1826, a daughter of William Doyle, now deceased, who was also a pioneer of the township. A native of Indiana, William Doyle came to Crawford County when still young, and settling in Martin Township, bought 40 acres of raw land and made improvements upon it. He married Rebecca Hicks, a member of another pioneer family, and they had five children, of whom Mrs. Savilla Shipman was the third in order of birth. To his first 40 acres. Mr. Doyle added another 40 acres, and still later another 40, and made a fine homestead. Mr. and Mrs. Shipman had seven children, of whom James Newton Shipman is the third child and second son. The mother died October 9, 1874. Later the father married Frances Sears, a native of Indiana, who was brought to the county when about sixteen. She was the widow at different periods of Daniel Martin and Hugh Doyle and James Myers. By her first husband she had four children, and five by her second, all of them being born in Martin Township. In politics Mr. Shipman was a Democrat, and was active in local affairs, holding the office of highway commissioner for years. He was a member of the Christian Church, and died firm in its faith, August 12, 1905, deeply lamented by all who appreciated his sterling traits of character.

James Newton Shipman was educated in the district schools, and worked on the farm. On November 30, 1903, he married Nancy Ellen (Sanders) Hicks, a widow of G. B. Hicks, and born in Martin Township, a daughter of Robert Sanders, a farmer of the township. After his marriage, Mr. Shipman farmed on the homestead until 1897, when he moved to Hardinville, where he has since resided. Mrs. Shipman is the mother of children by her first husband, as follows: Bettie, Louis C., Wiliam E.. Robert (deceased), and Francis (deceased), all born in Martin Township. Like his father, Mr. Shipman has been a lifelong Democrat, and he is also a member of the Christian Church. Fraternall he is a member of the Modern Woodmen and a Modern American, and is very popular in these orders, as he is in his neighborhood.

SHIPMAN, Savilla. - The agricultural interests of any community are gauged by the character of those conserving them, and Crawford County is fortunate in that it has men of intelligence, acumen and enterprise as its farmers. Savilla Shipman, a farmer and stock-raiser of Martin Township, is one of the largest property owners in Crawford County, his farm consisting of 800 acres of as good land as can be found in this part of the State. He was born on what is now his farm September 12, 1859, a son of Savilla Shipman, Sr, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work. Savilla Shipman, Jr. was the youngest in his father's family, and was educated in the district schools of the township, and brought up to hard work on the farm. He and his brother Jesse bought the farm from their father after the mother's death, and later Mr. Shipman purchased his brother's interest. The farm then consisted of 80 acres, but he added to it until it now comprises 800 acres.. He has improved this property, and placed it under cultivation. It had a log house on it when he purchased it, but he has replaced this with a commodious modern residence, and built large barns and other outbuildings, and his premises compare favorably with any in the township. A Shipman has made a specialty of stock-raising, and his Poland-China hogs command fancy prices anywhere. Oil was located on his property Au-

On November 27, 1891, Mr. Shipman married Alice MeCarty, who was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, July 11, 1860, the eldest child of Alexander McCarty, and was brought to Crawford County by her parents in 1867. A sketch of her father will be found elsewhere in this volume. Mrs. Shipman attended the district schools of Martin Township and a normal school, after which she entered Merom College and took a two-years course. In 1876 she began teaching and thus continued for fifteen years, becoming one of the most popular teachers Crawford County has ever had. Her business sagacity is shown by the fact that she purchased and paid for 120 acres of land from her earnings while teaching School. This land, situated three-fourths of a mile west of Hardinville, was purchased July 10, 1886, and was leased November 9, 1907, for $6,000. To her Mr. Shipman gives credit for the greatest success achieved in connection with his business interests.

Politically Mr. Shipman is a Democrat, and his services to his party have been recognized by his election to the offices of township Assessor and Supervisor. He has also been township committeeman for a number of years ; at present is President of the Fair Board and has rendered it valuable assistance. He is a director in the electrie road which is to run from Oblong to Casey. Fraternally, he is a member of the Knights of Pythias, the Modern Americans, the Grangers, and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Lodge No. 967, Hardinville. He and his family are.members of the Christian Church.

SHIPMAN, William J. - The rich black acres of farm land in Illinois demonstrate convincingly that the prosperity of its farmers is not an unproved proposition. Crawford County, for instance, can point to many men within its confines who own farms as fertile as any in the country, whose bank accounts are large, and whose investments are many outside of their farming property. Among the successful farmers of Martin Township, Crawford County. is William J. Shipman, a farmer and stockraiser of Section 10, who was born in Hardinville, February 11,.1846, a son of William Shipman, Sr., deceased, a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work.

The younger William J. Shipman was educated in the schools of his time and neighborhood, whieh were conducted in primitive log Schoolhouses. His youth was spent on the home place, and he continued to help his father until the land was cleared, and then worked for the neighbors for a year. His marriage occurred September 11, 1870, to Celia Jones. the daughter of John Jones, now deceased, who was a farmer of Martin Township, and who was born in Ohio, where he was reared and married a Miss Baker. They came to Crawford County at an early day, settling in Martin Township. Here Mr. Jones entered land from the Government, consisting of 160 acres, cleared and placed it under cultivation, and there reared their five children and the two children of Mr. Jones by a former marriage, and there the parents died highly respected.

Mr. and Mrs. Shipman have been the parents of children as follows: Charley (deceased), Palmer, William, Edwin, George; Jessie May, who is the wife of William Milam, and one daughter who died in infancy. About three years after his marriage, Mr. Shipman moved to Texas, and engaged in farming for about seven years, but about 1882 returned to Martin Township and settled on his present property of 120 acres, to which he added 80 acres. The greater part of this was cleared by his own labor or wonderful supervision, and he has made all the improvements. He devotes his property to farming and Stock-raising. and' has been very successful in both. During the time they have lived in the township, Mr. Shipman has taken an active part in local affairs and as a Democrat, has served acceptably as Assessor, Township Clerk, and School Trustee, and has held other township offices. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen, and the religious affiliations of himself and wife are with the Christian Church,

SHIRE, Edward T. - Some men are born organizers, possessing in marked degree that executive ability that enables them to control others and carry out to successful conclusions plans that they have matured. Edward T. Shire of Oblong, contractor, editor and publisher, promoter and public man, is one of those fortunates of earth who can command success at every turn. Mr. Shire was born on a farm near Hardinville, Martin Township, June 22, 1864, a son of Christian and Martha (Fletcher) Shire. Christian Shire was born in Eastern Pennsylvania, February 13, 1833, of German descent, while his wife was born of English parents, on a farm, near Richmond, Va. When nine years old Christian Shire was brought to Ohio, when twenty-one he married in Darke County, that State, and in 1861 came to Crawford County, Ill.. where he purchased 80 acres of land, nearly all of which was in timber, cleared it off and placed it under cultivation. Although now seventy-five, Mr. Shire is still in active life, happily working as a carpenter, and looks fully ten years younger than his years. He and his wife had children as follows: Jacob L., who lives at Los Angeles, Cal., is a housemover, is married and has three girls and two boys; Sarah, who lives in Indianapolis, is married and has two girls and three boys; Samuel Thomas was killed by lightning when twenty; John W. lives in Jasper County, Ill. and has large holdings of the first oil land discovered in Crawford County, called the Shire Pool; Robert F. lives in Robinson and is a carpenter and builder, and Edward T. Shire,

Edward T. Shire was educated in the district school of his neighborhood, and the County Institute, and for the following five years taught School, two years being spent in Kansas, and after that learned the carpenter trade. Successfully following that for some time, he eventually published the *Oblong Leader," a weekly paper, which he continued successfully for four years, when it was merged with the "Oblong Oracle," and his connection with it ceased. His next venture was the promotion of an independent telephone company, known as the Oblong Telephone Company, which he succeeded in having merged with other lines. Mr. Shire then embarked in a furniture business at Oblong and suecessfully conducted it until March, 1908, when he sold it to D. C. Brubaker, who is now conducting it. He then turned his attention towards the erection of the fine two-story brick block known as the Shire and York Block, which when completed will have a frontage of 142 feet by a depth of 90 feet. In addition to this business block, Mr. Shire owns his handsome residence on North Second street, his lot there being 62 by 120 feet.

On May 22, 1892, Mr. Shire was married in Robinson to Miss Mecie Bashears, a daughter of Winfield and Martha Bashears, formerly of Harper's Ferry, Va. One child, Kenneth E., was born on February 20, 1893, to Mr. and Mrs. Shire, a very bright young fellow, now attending school. In politics Mr. Shire is a Republican, and he has held the office of school director, has been village clerk and is now in his last year as village trustee. Fraternally he belongs to Oblong Lodge, No. 850 of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. His church home is with the Christian Church, and for many years he has been one of its deacons. Mr. and Mrs. Shire are noted for their hospitality. and their pleasant home always holds a warm welcome for their friends of whom they have many, not only in their immediate neighborhood but throughout this portion of the State.

SILER, Charles E. - The rapid development that has been in progress in Crawford County has scarcely been fully realized by many of those who have been the prime factors in the movement. Not only is the soil, climate and general location excellent for agricultural purposes, but within the past few years the discovery of oil in great quantities has brought into the county many men interested in its production or in other lines connected with it. Charles E. Siler is one of the prosperous farmers and stock-raisers of Honey Creek Township, residing on his excellent farm in Section 5, and born on Section 4 of the same township, July 15, 1869. His father, Josiah Siler, a retired farmer and carpenter of this township, was bern in Ohio. March 20, 1841, and came to Illinois about 1851, with his father, Daniel Siler, who located in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, and there entered land. Daniel Siler cleared off this raw land and also worked at his trade as a stone and brick mason and plasterer. He erected the old brick bank building in Robinson, and the excellence of his work is shown in its construction. He married in Ohio, Catherine Reinoehl. Josiah Siler was one of eleven children born to his parents, namely: Barbara Ann, Philip Jonah, Elizabeth, Mary Ann, Priscilla, George Henry, Mathias and Daniel (twins), William and Angeline. Daniel Siler was a soldier in the Civil War, serving in Company D, Thirtieth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and died in Washington County, Kan.

Josiah Siler, like many others, was educated in the log schoolhouse of the neighborhood, at the same time learning to be a carpenter, following this trade for many years in conjunction with farming. He bought 40 acres of timbered land, which he cleared and cultivated. In 1862 he enlisted in Company D, Ninety-eighth Illinois Volunteer Mounted Infantry, and served until the close of the war, participating in some of the most important engagements, including Chattanooga, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Siege of Atlanta, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta, Deckard, and many others of less importance, as well as various skirmishes. In July, 1865, Mr. Siler was mustered out at Edgefield, Tenn. and was discharged at Springfield,

On November 10, 1864, Josiah Siler was married in Honey Creek Township to Isabelle Jane Wright, a native of Indiana, who came to Crawford County about 1847 with her parents, Josiah and Martha (Hamilton) Wright, pioneer farmers Of the county, and natives of North Carolina and Indiana, respectively. Locating in Honey Creek Township, Mr. Wright took up and improved 80 acres of land. By trade he was a tanner, and had a tannery in connection with his farm. He added to his property until he had 100 acres, and cleared it all. The Siler family was as follows: John; Charles E.; Dora, who married Charles Richart; Joe and two others; Clara and Addison who died in childhood. Josiah Siler is a Republican, and is a member of the United Brethren Church, of whieh his wife was also a member. Mrs. Siler died April 24, 1898.

Charles E. Siler was educated in the district schools of Honey Creek Township, and was reared to manhood on the home place. He married October 4, 1891, Rutha Goff, who was born, reared and educated at Duncanville, Ill., and Honey Creek Township. She was a daughter of George W. and Laura Goff. Six children were born to Charles E. Siler and wife: Inis, Lloyd, Earl, Carl, Herschel (deceased), and Laura, all born in Honey Creek Township. Mr. Siler moved on his present farm of 50 acres at the time .of his marriage, but has added to his property holdings until he now owns 220 acres, and has made the present improvements. He has a comfortable residence, substantial barns and excellent outbuildings. Mrs. Siler died September 9, 1904. Mr. Siler is a Republican, and is widely and favorably known throughout the neighborhood.

SMITH, Guy W. - At this late day it is almost impossible for the present generation to fully appreciate all the dangers and hardships encountered by those daring souls who were the pio- neers in this great State, and to whose untiring devotion to duty the State owes so much 'of its prosperity and its rank among the commonwealths. In the list of those who deserve special mention in connection with the pioneer history of Crawford County, is the Hon. Guy W. Smith, now deceased. Mr. Smith was born in Kentucky, and came to Illinois about 1815, while it was still a territory and he a young man. He went first to Kaskaskia, but located soon thereafter at Palestine, Ill.

Always a man of prominence in public affairs, after coming to Illinois he served as the first Receiver of the Government Land Office at Palestine, and it was his duty to take his money to Louisville, Ky., whence it was transmitted to Washington, D. C., and more than once he was delegated to carry it all of the way. In politics an ardent Whig, he was chosen to represent his county as Senator in the First General Assembly and as Representative in the Thirteenth, serving with distinction and to the general benefit of the State.

In the early '50s Mr. Smith, always possessed of the pioneer spirit, moved to the vicinity of Burlington, Iowa, afterwards locating in the neighborhood of Davenport, Iowa, where he bought a farm and died. The first wife of Mr. Smith was a Miss Brown, who died about 1821, having borne him one daughter, Mary Eliza, who was born March, 1821, and died April, 1893, baving married first Robert C. Smith, by whom she had four children, two of whom died in childhood, the others being: Mrs. Barlow, widow of Dr. C. Barlow, and Robert P. Smith, of Los Angeles, Cal. Later she married James D. Price, by whom she had eight children. The second wife of the Hon. Guy W. Smith was Jeretta Wilson.

Mr. Smith has passed away, but the good that he accomplished remains as a lasting monument to his memory, illustrating his devotion to duty, his patriotism, and his enterprising spirit which delighted in conquering the wilderness and bringing peace and plenty out of chaos.

SMITH, James D. - Intelligence, willingness to work, and a thorough understanding of his calling, have enabled Mr. James D. Smith to cope successfully with the various problems which have been presented to him in the course of his agricultural life. He was born in Wells County, Ind., October 12, 1844, a son of John W. and Mary Smith, the former born October 18, 1819, and the latter October 17, 1819. They were the parents of children as follows: Hannah Ann, born July 9, 1843, deceased; James D.; Margaret Ellen and Martha Jane, twins, born January 21, 1848; Anthony, born August 2, 1847; Jacob, born July 4, 1849; Mary Jane. born October 19, 1853; Silas W., born October 8, 1855. John W. Smith was educated in Virginia and for a time was in charge as overseer of the slaves on a plantation, but in 1842 went to Ohio, and a year later to Kosciusko County, Ind., making the trip in a wagon with his family. In that county he bought 40 acres and was helped in clearing it by James D. and his brothers. As time went on he added 80 acres more, then 160, and finally 100, having thus become the owner of 380 acres, retired to North Manchester, where he lived until his death in 1891, his wife having died in 1863,

Being the eldest of his father's boys, James D. Smith did not obtain very much schooling, and when he did attend school he had to walk three miles both ways. The young man worked hard, remained at home with his father until he was twenty-six, and then came to Martin Township, Crawford County, where for a time he worked as a farm hand until he saved sufficient to buy 40 acres of land. On that he built a log house, but within two months had an opportunity to trade this off.for seventeen acres in a better locality. On this he built another log house, and once more traded, giving his seventeen acres, log house and $800 for the property which is now his home, consisting of 80 acres. He also has 42 acres which came from Mrs. Smith's father. Oil was first discovered on his property in 1905, and he now has fourteen oil wells in active operation.

February 22, 1864, Mr. Smith enlisted in Company G, One Hundred and Twenty-ninth Indiana Volunteer Infantry, and was discharged August 29, 1865, being mustered out at Charlotte, N. C. While in the service he took part in the following engagements: Buzzard's Roost, Kenesaw Mountain, Marietta and the Siege of Atlanta, at the latter place being wounded and for eight months in hospital at Chattanooga and Nashville.

On August 7, 1873, Mr. Smith married Lucinda Weirich, daughter of Isaac and Eliza (Farmer) Weirich, farmers and stock-raisers of Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Smith have children as follows: Thomas I, Smith, born June 9, 1874; Eliza Ann, born December 31, 1877; Cora Ethel, born October 8, 1886; James A., born January 29, 1889; and Orely, born December 31, 1880, and died March 12, 1881. Mr. Smith has always been a Republican and at one time ran on the Republican ticket for Commissioner, and was beaten by only sixteen votes in a township that had 100 Democratic majority. He is a member of the New Light Christian Church, with which he has been connected thirty years, and for the same length of time has been trustee of the church, as well as deacon, and is extremely active in church work. He is reliable, honorable, strictly honest in all his dealing, and a man upon whóm every dependence can be placed.

SMITH, Samuel Alva, M.D. - The medical profession offers so many opportunities for scientific advancement that it has attracted to it men of deep learning and profound thought, whose investigations have resulted in valuable contributions to the literature of their calling. The physician is a man who leads a singularly self-sacrificing life, for not only are unlimited demands made upon his time, his energy and his nervous vitality, but in many cases he gives his services

Among the men who are devoted to their profession in Crawford County, is Samuel Alva Smith, who was born in Robinson Township March 6, 1868, a son of J. H. D. and Louisa (Burner) Smith. Guy W. Smith, the paternal grandfather of the doctor, was born in Kentucky, and at 4 very early day came to Illinois and entered land from the Government in Crawford County, where he became the first Receiver of the United States Land Office at Palestine. Later he moved to the vicinity of Des Moines, Iowa, and died in that State when nearly ninety years of age. He had a family of six children: Mary, J. H. D., Rankin, Fry, Speed and Nancy. The maternal grandparents of Dr. Smith, Abraham Burner and his wife, came from Ohio to Crawford County, IlL, about 1845, and purchased a large tract of government land. Mr. Burner died.near Porterville, Prairie Township, in 1882, leaving nine children, five sons and four daughters. J. H. D. Smith, the father of Dr. | Samuel A., was born in Palestine, and died at Porterville, Prairie Township, February 14, 1893, having been for forty years a prominent agriculturist. His wife, whose maiden name was Louisa Burner, was born in Licking County, Ohio, October 9, 1830, and died in September, 1907, having been the mother of twelve children: Wooster L., Bakewell, Eoline G., Burner B., Margaret, Guy W., Samuel Alva, and Orrin H., and four who died in infancy.

Samuel Alva Smith received his preliminary education in the district schools of Licking (now Prairie Township) in N. N. U. of Lebanon, Ohio, Township, and began his medical education at the Illinois Medical College, from which he was graduated September 29, 1904, having taken a full four years' course and a full course in surgery. Since that time he has been engaged in the practice of his profession at Annapolis, Crawford County, where he has gained the confidence and respect of the community and his practice has become extensive. He is connected with the county, State and national medical bodies, and keeps himself well informed as to the progress of his profession by subscribing. to various medical journals. His fraternal connection is with the Modern Woodmen and Tribe of Ben Hur. In political matters he is a Republican. Dr. Smith owns a handsome residence at Annapolis, as well as other residence and buWness property.

On March 25, 1908, Dr. Smith was married by the Rev. Mr. Nidy, of the Christian Church, to Augusta Holmes, at the home of the bride's father in Prairie Township, and to this union one child, Wilbur Holmes Smith, was born Oetober 29, 1907. Mrs. Smith was born November 30, 1872, a daughter of Andrew J. and Melissa (Newlin) Holmes, the latter born in Crawford County, and the former in Licking County, Ohio, whence he removed to Crawford County, Ill., a number of years ago. Mr. and Mrs. Holmes were the parents of six children, of whom five

SPONSLER, Albert. - To have faithfully carried out any plan in life, and reaped success from honest effort, is something of which any man may wel be proud. Albert Sponsler of Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Ill., early learned the trade of a plasterer, and for forty years has been engaged in this vocation, until he is now a contractor and has a large trade in the township where his excellent work and honest methods have won him many friends. Mr. Sponsler was born in Stark County, Ohio, August 26, 1851, a son of Alexander and Mary (Gratz) Sponsler, both of whom were born in Pennsylvania and came of Pennsylvania-Dutch stock.

Alexander Sponsler came to Crawford County in 1866, and buying 300 acres cleared it off and made a good farm out of what had been a forest. While the family were still in Stark County, Ohio, Albert Sponsler received a district school education, and worked on the farm, although he began to learn his trade at fourteen years of age.

In April, 1871, Mr. Sponsler was married' in Crawford County, Ill., to Matilda Seaney, daughter of John Seaney. The following children were born of this marriage: Harlan, Charles, Palmer, Ora, Essie and John, of whom Harlan, Ora and John are deceased. Palmer married Amanda Shannon, daughter of John Shannon and they have one daughter and they live in Palestine, where Palmer is a plasterer; Charles married Julia Geesaman, daughter of George Geesaman, and they have three children and live near New Hebron, where he is a plasterer; Essie is unmarried and lives at Danville. Mrs. Sponsler died in 1881. In 1888 Mr. Sponsler was married in Crawford County, to Mrs. Rebecca Baldwin, widow of Jesse Baldwin, from which there has been no issue. -On November 30, 1898, Mr. Sponsler married Dora E. Roberts, widow of Ross Roberts, but there is no issue. Mr. Sponsler is a Republican. He has inherited from his parents the sterling traits of character so closely associated with the Pennsylvania-Dutch, and has always been industrious, hard-working and thrifty, and naturally has prospered. He is the owner of 30 acres of land in Sections 24 and 6 and 12 in Honey Creek Township.

SPONSLER, William. - Taken as a whole the farmers of Crawford County are a fine class of men, industrious, thrifty, successful, owning well-cultivated farms, stocked with high-grade cattle, and supplied with comfortable house, and barns. They thoroughly understand farming, and carry on their business profitably and much more easily than in former years, owing to improved methods and machinery. Among those thus engaged is William Sponsler of Honey Creek Township, who was born in Stark County, Ohio, near Massillon, in 1856. He is a son of Alexander and Mary (Gratz) Sponsler, the former of whom was born in Pennsylvania, as also was his wife. Alexander Sponsler came to Crawford County, purchased 320 acres of land, and there died in 1883. His wife survived until August 24, 1904, when she too, passed away.

After completing his district school course, Mr. Sponsler attended Wabash College at Crawfordsville, Ind., but returned to the farm, and has made farming his business. For about twelve years he has been a member of the Presbyterian Churgh, and is one of its trustees. In politics he is a Republican. On December 19, 1879, Mr. Sponsler was married near Palestine, in La Motte Township, to Sarah L. Mills, a daughter of Wyatt and Emily (Fesler) Mills, the former of Crawford County, the latter a native of North Carolina. Representatives of the Mills family are among some of the most prosperous of this locality.

Mr. and Mrs. Sponsler have had the following children: Clara, born July 19, 1881; Mildred, born September 21, 1884; Elsie. born June 4, 1888, and Arthur, born May 10, 1897. Clara married Bosworth Mills, a farmer of Crawford County, no issue. Mildred married Floyd E. Snedeker, no issue. They reside near Amarillo, Texas.

STEEL, Davidson. - In business life Davidson Steel is one of the best known financiers of Robinson, and is widely esteemed by his business associates for his shrewdness of character and his energetic methods of action. Mr. Steel was born on a farm near Robinson, January 10, 1857, a son of William and Adeline (Trimble) Steel, the former born in Philadelphia, and the latter in Trimble, Crawford County, Ill. William Steel was a farmer, and his son was brought up to farm life, and attended the district school, but later he went to Merom College in Sullivan County, Ind., and then took a commercial course at Terre Haute, Ind. Deciding upon becoming a lawyer, he read law in the office of Callahan and Jones for three years, and was admitted to the Kansas bar 1888, having been elected Justice of the Peace, however, in Robinson before going to Kansas. Still later, 1888 he went to Pratt, Kan., but after a short time went to Oklahoma, where he remained four years, during one year of that time serving as Justice of the Peace which oflice he resigned upon leaving the Territory. While Justice of the Peace he had the satisfaction of making an honorable record by his decisions, not one of them being reversed by a higher court, in fact, no appeal being taken. While in Wichita, Kan. in 1887-88, he passed through the panic which beggared so many, but without letting this discourage him, began over again, and now is numbered as one of the substantial business men of Robinson, and he owns 600 acres of fine farming land in Missouri on which he is cultivating alfalfa, which produces $30 per acre.

Mr. Steel is a very public-spirited man and can always be depended upon to support any measure calculated to prove beneficial to the city or county. He has served Robinson as City Clerk and Collector two terms. Fraternally he is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America and a Modern American. While not connected with any church, he is liberal in his religious views, and in politics is a Republican.

On July 14, 1885, Mr. Steel was married to Miss Belle Wilson, daughter of Joseph J. Wilson, a farmer residing near Robinson. Two children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Steel, namely: Methyl and Imo. The former was born September 30, 1886, and has been carefully educated, first attending the common school, then Holland (Virginia) Seminary for one year, followed by two years at St. Mary's Academic Institution at St. Mary's, Ind., after which she took a commercial course at Dixon, Ill. She is a very accomplished young lady. Upon one occa- sion when the Deed Record of the county required copying, she accomplished it in a most Skilful manner. She married February 18, 1908, Carl White, engaged in oil business with his father, at Sheffield. Pa., where the young couple now reside. The second daughter was «born August 12, 1891, and is in her senior year at the Robinson high school.

STEEL, Edward H., D. D. S. - Dr Edward H. Steel, dentist, is one of the young practitioners of his profession located at Robinson, Ill, having been born on a farm near Robinson, December 1, 1872, a son of the late Edward and Mahala (Knight) Steel, the former of whom was born in Philadelphia in 1843 and died on the home farm in Crawford County, in 1899. Mrs. Steel also came from Philadelphia, and both the Steels and the Knights were of good, old Quaker stock. An ancestor on the paternal side in the seventeenth century fought under Oliver Cromwell. and he and five brothers later emigrated to Philadelphia. The grandfather, William J. Steel, came from Philadelphia to Terre Haute, Ind., and established a general merchandise store there, and later one at Hutsonville. William J. Steel had children as follows: William C., James H., Mrs. James F. Jacques, Mrs. Catherine S. Rea, Mrs. T. C. Buntin, Edward and Annie,

Edward Steel, father of Dr. Steel, remained on the home place, and he and his wife had children as follows: John K. and Homer, both farmers; Edward H.; Bruce, farmer; Mrs. Lizzie Ault; 'Mrs. James Simpson, and Mrs. Mary Trimble. The maiden name of the grandmother was Mary McMullen, and she too was a Quakeress, and her family like that of the Steel family is one of the oldest in the Keystone State.

Dr. Edward H. Steel attended the common and district schools in Crawford County, and then entered upon a dental course in the Chicago College of Dental Surgery, where he remained for three years (from 1896 to 1899), when he received his diploma asa D. D. S. He then came to Robinson and began the practice of his pro- fession, building up a very large business, and firmly establishing himself in the confidence of the community. Dr. Steel is a very pleasant gentleman and a patient, conscientious worker. In politics he is a Republican.

.On May 24, 1899, Dr. Steel was married at Terre Haute, Ind., to Miss Florette Newlin, born February 21, 1871, a daughter of Eli M. Newlin, of Crawford Coünty, IlL, and Maria (Kettle) Newlin of New York State. One child, Edward Newlin Steel, was born to Dr. and Mrs. Steel on January 15, 1906. Dr. Steel has very nicely appointed operating rooms at No. 1 South Side of the court house square.

STEEL, Harry. - The business life of Robinson is influenced largely by the enterprising and progressive spirit of its leading men, who, in enlarging the scope of their private undertakings, prove public benefactors. If the business men of any community fail to take a proper interest in their town, the fact soon manifests itself, and those in the outlying districts who have been coming to it for supplies, recognize the fact that it lacks the progressive spirit so necessary to command success and seek elsewhere for what they need. Harry Steel has long recognized this fact and has tried to bear his part in maintaining the prestige of Robin- Son, IlL, by carrying on a large and constantly increasing business in hay, feed, grain and similar commodities, and by his courtesy, his strictly honorable methods and the superiority of his supplies, has built up a very enviable patronage. Mr. Steel was born near Robinson, February 7, 1868, a son of William C. and Adeline (Trimble) Steel, the former, a prosperous farmer of Crawford County, and the latter, born near Trimble, that county.

Harry Steel was brought up on his father's farm and in 1906 engaged in his present business, occupying commodious quarters near the postoffice where he is most conveniently located. While not an office-seeker Mr. Steel has served very acceptably as township Collector for two terms and has also been Town Clerk, being elected on the Republican ticket, to which party he has always belonged. On March 21, 1900, Mr. Steel married Miss Lily M. Hunt, daughter of John Hunt. They have no children.

STEEL, James H. (deceased), was born in Philadelphia, Pa., June 23, 1823, of English, Scotch and Irish descent. In childhood his father located in Terre Haute, Ind., and he grew up in western towns, as soon as he was old enough engaging as a clerk. In 1849 he settled in Robinson, Ill, having previously been elected County Clerk of Crawford. For nine years he held this office, a portion of the time being appointed to fill a vacancy. While in office he read law, and July 13, 1857, was licensed to practice, and was successfully engaged in that profession alone until 1865, when he and Hon. Ethelbert Callahan formed a partnership which lasted fourteen months, when Mr. Steel was forced to withdraw on account of poor health.

After that he practiced alone for several years, taking only those cases suited to his inclinations and strength. A strong Republican, he was very loyal during the Civil War, and was one of the founders of his party in Ilinois. On February 4, 1847, he married Emily J. Otey, daughter of the late James S. Otey, of Crawford County. Mrs, Steel was born in Palestine, and she and her husband had children as follows: Mrs. William C. Jones, James O. Steel, Charles H. Steel and Frank O. Steel Mr. Steel's death occurred December 2, 1872.

STENTZ, Andrew Jackson. - Brought up to hard work and strict discipline on the farm, the farmers of Crawford County lead whole- Some lives and are imbued with habits of selfrestraint which enable them to thoroughly master their calling, and to not only bring out of their land all there is in it, but to thriftily save their earnings and wisely invest them. Andrew Jackson Stentz, of Section 16, Oblong Township, is one of the successful agriculturists of this loeality, born in Coshocton County, Ohio, February 20, 1850, a son of Michael and Elizabeth (Ikemier) Stentz. When Mr. Stentz was three years old his parents came to Crawford County, and settled in Oblong Township, where he was reared and educated in the district schools and worked hard upon his father's farm.

When twenty-two he left home and married 'heresa Randolph, a daughter of William Randolph, an old settler of the township. At the time of his marriage Mr. Stentz bought twenty acres, which he improved. To this he added twenty acres more, and still later twenty more, and has made this property his home. Six oil wells are in active operation on this property. and it is now very valuable. In politics Mr. Stentz is a Democrat and he has served as postmaster eight years. Since young manhood he he has been a member of the Methodist Church, of which he has been trustee for many years and been president of the board for the past four years. He served as steward of the church for fourteen years, and is very liberal in his donations. Mr. and Mrs. Stentz are the parents of the following children: Alameda (deceased), Elizabeth, Irene, Stella, Earl, Allie, Homer and Myrta, all born in Oblong Township. During an industrious life Mr. Stentz has gained a strong position in his community by the ability with which he has conducted both his private affairs and the duties of public office, and is highly respected.

-fastly labored. contending with the various disadvantages incident to the improvement of raw land, and their success is well merited, since because of it this part of Illinois has become prosperous and favorably known. John Stentz is one of the industrious and prosperous farmers of the county, residing on Section 15, Oblong Township, but was born in Coshocton County,

Ohio, September 6, 1851, a son of Michael Stentz, a native of the same State, born August 6, 1813. The latter came to Crawford County, Ill, in 1854, and bought land near the present home of his son, John Stentz. This property he cleared and developed. In addition to being a farmer, he was a physician and became very well known and highly respected. He was a member of the Methodist Church and died firm in its faith at the venerable age of eighty-five years. John Stentz is the second in the family of four children born to his parents, viz: Andrew J., John, Sarah Sophia (deceased) and Marion.

John Steptz was educated in the early subscription schools, meanwhile working hard on the farm helping his father in his clearing off of the land. He remained at home until his marriage, which took place in Marion Township. Owen County, Ind., in 1876, when he was united with Hannah Strahla, a daughter of John Strahla, of that county. After marriage Mr. Stentz bought 80 acres of land and inherited

Jasper County in addition to his home property. Hight oil wells have been opened on his property, which are in active operation. Mr. and Mrs. Stentz have the following children: Marion M., Sarah Ellen, Clare May, Josephine, Verda, Trecie D. and Marion M. M. When life has been busiest and inost demanding, Mr. Stentz has always found time to look carefully after his children and to discharge his neighborly duty, and consequently he enjoys to the fullest extent the respect and confidence of his community. In politics he is a Democrat and a member of the Methodist Church, as are his wife and other members of the family.

STEPHENS, Dr. Lewis E. - Experience, knowledge, learning, all go into the make-up of the true physician or dental surgeon. Among the dental surgeons of Crawford County, Dr. Lewis E. Stephens, of Robinson, Ill., is a worthy example. He was born in Loudon County, Va., September 8, 1845, a son of John Henry and Ann 8. (Padgett) Stephens. John Henry Stephens, the father, who was born in Virginia in 1820, was also a dental surgeon of considerable promi- He had six sons and one daughter, and four of his sons followed his profession, all having been successful. The elder Dr. Stephens came to Robinson at an early day and established a fine practice, but met with an untimely death, his horses becoming frightened and backing off the bridge near Robinson, while Dr. Stephens was in the vehicle attached. His wife was a daughter of Eli Padgett, a native of Maryland, and a descendant of an old and honored family of the South.

Dr. Lewis E. Stephens attended the country school and worked on a farm in his boyhood, but later had the advantage of a course at Westfield College, and after studying with his father, began practice when twenty-four years of age as his father's partner, and for years was the leading dentist of Robinson. He was not entirely satisfied with practicing, however, but was ever studying and finally perfected a suction plate which is now in use by all advanced members of his profession. For some years he has been retired, his sons, Arthur G., John M. and Earl Stephens, having succeeded him, although the sign still reads, "Dr. Stephens & Sons." Although practically retired, Dr. Stephens is often called upon for advice, and at all the dental meetings he is slated for a talk, his practical experience proving of inestimable value to younger members of the profession. For some years he has been admittedly the dean of the profession in Crawford County.

On July 29, 1873, Dr. Stephens was married to Mary G. Trimble, of Crawford County, daughter of James Trimble, who was noted for his service as Associate Judge of Crawford County. He was a pioneer of the county and an extensive farmer, having come from Kentucky. The children born to Dr. and Mrs. Stephens were as follows: Arthur G., born July 8, 1874, and was a student in the Northwestern Dental College, Chicago; Frank A., born December 28, 1875, and graduated from the high school; John Murray, born October 3, 1877, graduated from the high school, and from the Northwestern Dental College; Fred E. and Earl are twins, born September 10, 1879, and Earl graduated from high School] and the Northwestern Dental College; Mabel A.; Hazel, and Roger Lewis, born November 11, 1890, who is a graduate of the high school and his father's companion.

Since his retirement Dr. Stephens has entered extensively into the business of importing highgrade stock with his sons, Fred and Frank. He makes annual trips to Canada and imports only the best varieties, making a specialty of heavy horses and sheep, and through his efforts the breed of both has been materially bettered in Crawford and surrounding counties. He imported the first horse into Crawford County; also the first registered and imported stallion and mare, and was the first to bring to Crawford County imported Shropshire sheep and Holstein cattle. Dr. Stephens has exhibited at county fairs for many years, and his fine stock has secured many blue ribbons. Dr. Stephens was President of the Crawford County Fair Association for seven years. He has also the distinction of being the only man of Crawford County who shipped a carload of his horses from his barns to London, England, in sound condition.

Fraternally, Dr. Stephens belongs to the Modern Woodmen, and he and his wife members of the Christian Church. In politics he has always been an adherent of the Democratic party, and has ably represented the Third Ward in the Robinson City Council. His pleasant home on Locust street, Robinson, is one of the most hospitable places in Crawford County, and surrounded by its trees, is one of the most delightful in warm weather. Dr. Stephens owns several fine farms in the county, as well as several of the finest orchards in this part of the State, and devotes much of his time to agriculture and horticulture. He has always been warmly interested in the prosperity and future of

Robinson, and strives to offer strong inducements to attract new capital to that city. It is characteristic of the man to discharge with conscientious fidelity every trust reposed in him, and being blessed with a cheerful disposition, he has made himself the friend of all with whom he has been associated.

STEPHENSON, Cornelius (deceased). - After a short illness, the late Cornelius Stephenson, one of the representative men of Crawford County, Il., died of pneumonia at his home at 7:30 Wednesday morning, February 27, 1901. The funeral services were conducted by his pastor, tbe Rev. Mr. Fink, of the United Brethren Church, and the immense concourse that attended came to pay tribute to one who was ever a friend to those who needed him, and a public-spirited, enterprising man. A touching tribute is paid to his memory in the following lines written by his daughter Emma:

Mr. Stephenson was born in Butler County, Ohio, November 20, 1829, and was married July 8, 1855, to Mary Huls. At his death he left four children, seven grandchildren, his widow and a host of warm personal friends 10 mourn his loss. :

Mrs. Mary Stephenson was born in Indiana, November 8, 1834, but when one year old her parents moved to Butler County, Ohio, and she was there reared on a farm near the town of Pisgah in the vicinity of Cincinnati, her education being obtained in the schools of her neighborhood. Her parents were Joseph and Amanda M. (Kennedy) Huls. Mrs. Stephenson is a member of the United Brethren Church, and the Rev. N. B. Ellsworth of that church officiated at her marriage to Cornelius Stephenson. Mr. and Mrs. Stephenson had the following children: Emma T., born December 10, 1860, married Andrew Wakefield, a farmer of Robinson Town- Ship, and they have two children, Ernest and Oliver; Joseph Cornelius, born April 15, 1866, married Amanda Buskirk, daughter of Ralph Buskirk, a farmer, and they have a daughter; Benjamin F., married Catherine Henderson; and they have a son, Harry W.; Cornelius H., married Emma A., the only daughter of R. D. and Sarah J. (Wilson) Johnson, and they have three sons and one daughter - Arthur R., born April 11, 1895; Ione L., born September 27, 1896; Everett born November 20, 1898, and Allen G., born March 3, 1906.

Mrs. Stephenson owns a fine farm property of 160 acres in Robinson Township, where she makes her home. She is a pleasant companion, a kind neighbor, and a good worker in the

STIFLE, Charles M. - One of the most important phases of commercial activity in Crawford County is that presented by the oil business of that locality, and there are mauy land owners on whose property oil has been discovered. Charles M. Stifle, of Section 8, Oblong Township, is one of those thus fortunate. Born in Athens County, Ohio, in 1848, he is the youngest son of ten children born to his parents, Stephen and Mary (Misner) Stifle, who in 1848 came to Crawford County, and were pioneers of Oblong Township When they came to the township there were only about five other families in the school district. Stephen P. Stifle was the first man to suggest building a school house, which was made of logs. He purchased considerable of his land directly from the Government. The trip of the family was made from Indiana in a covered wagon, and after they were settled here, for a long time wild game was plentiful, including deer and wild turkey. In time Stephen Stifle became the owner of 1,000 acres of land, his death finally occurring in the township when he was eighty-two years old. He was a steadfast Methodist.

Charles M. Stifle went to school in the primitive log schoolhouse his father helped to erect, and was brought up on his present farm, learning early the details of agricultural life. In 1869 he married Belle Lancaster, who was born in Hutsonville, and reared in Crawford County. Her father dying when she was small, her mother later married a man by the name of Jones, a traveling preacher. Mr. and Mrs. Stifle have had two children: Rexa and Robert. Mrs. Stifle died March 17, 1873. Mr. Stifle later married Mary Jane Potts, born in Lima County, Ohio, and by this second marriage there were three children: Dora, Cora (deceased), and Edwin, all five of the children being born on the home farm. Mrs. Stifle the second, was reared in Lima County, Ohio, and she died in 1878.

Before his father's death, Charles M. Stifle secured 190 acres, as his father divided his property. He has added 20 acres more to it, and also owns 60 acres west of the county line, his total holdings amounting to 270 acres, a portion of which he bas cleared. He has eight wells in operation, and is a man of independent means; is a member of the Grange, and deservedly popular in the neighborhood. Where now exists a highly civilized community, when Mr. Stifle first eame to Crawford County, there were but a few log cabins, and in view of this extraordinary progress, it is impossible to award

STIFLE, Stephen Jasper. - The discovery of oil in Crawford County worked a complete revolution in land values, and developed wealthy men in a very short period. Among those fortunate enough to own such land is Stephen Jasper Stifle, a farmer and oil-producer on Section 7, Oblong Township, who was born in Athens County, Ohio, January 19, 1838, a son of Stephen Stifle, also a native of Ohio. The father was reared in his native State and there married Mary Misner, also a native of Ohio, and they had ten children, of whom the younger, Stephen, was the sixth in order of birth. Coming to Crawford County in 1848, Stephen Stifle, Sr., located. on 40 acres in Oblong Township, adding to his holdings untii atone time he owned 1,000 acres, the greater part of which he cleared and placed under cultivation. Although he had no schooling, he was a wellinformed man, and for his time was very wealthy. A devout member of the Methodist Church, he died firm in its faith at the age of eighty-two years.

Stephen Jasper Stifle attended one of the early schools of Crawford County, which his father helped to build. The lad worked to assist his father clear the property, and remained with him until his marriage. His father's land was partly obtained from the Government, and the remainder bought at second hand. There was an old log house on the first 40 acres, with its puncheon floor, and also an old barn on the place. He later built a hewed log house, two Stories high, and weatherboarded on the outside and ceiled and plastered on the inside. They went to West York for the weatherboards. This house is still occupied by Stephen Jasper's youngest brother. Of the ten children born to the elder Stephen Stifle and wife, four are living: Stephen Jasper; Mary, wife of Chalon Headley, of Licking Township; George, of Oblong, and Charles M., who is on the old home farm. It was on this farm that the elder Stephen Stifle finally died.

On March 31, 1859, Stephen Jasper Stifle was married to Deiadamia Headley, born in Licking County, Ohio, in 1841, a daughter of Charles and Elizabeth (Smith) Headley, who were married in Ohio. Mr. Headley came to Crawford County in 1850, first locating in Robinson Township, where he bought land but soon afterwards sold it and bought in Oblong Township. He lived there for about eight years, when he made his home with his children, dying at the residence of Mr. Stifle when about seventy-two. His first wife died when the children were small, and his second wife when the family were living in Ohio,

Mrs. Stifle was reared and educated in Crawford County. Mr. and Mrs. Stifle are the parents of eight children, all born in Oblong Township: John Marion, deceased; Mary Jane, deceased; Elmira Ellen, deceased; George P.; Alma Arminda; William; Eva, and Lucy, deceased. Mr. Stifle began life for himself on 40 acres of land which he cleared off and improved, adding to his acreage until he now owns 130 acres constituting his home farm, and 260 acres in Jasper County. In 1905 he leased his property to the Benednum Trees Oil Company, later re-leased to the Parker and Edwards Oil Company, and now has on it eighteen drilled wells, fifteen producing ones and three dry ones. In politics he is a

Democrat, and for several terms has served as school director. Like his father, he is a Methodist and is liberal in the support of the church. Many of his kind and generous acts are hidden from the public, and while shrewd, alert, careful in looking after his own interests, no man has a better record or stands higher in the confidence of his community.

STILES, Edward Ellsworth. - With the wonderful stimulus given to realty values by the opening of oil lands in Crawford County, the business of handling real estate is attracting to it some of the very best men of this locality, who find in it an excellent outlet for their abilities and a profitable investment of both time and money. Edward Ellsworth Stiles has proven this to be true to his own satisfaction and the benefit of his many customers, while conducting a large real estate business in Robinson, Crawford County. Mr. Stiles was born at Hutsonville, Ill February 9, 1873. a son of Silas N. and Emily E. (Bradbury) Stiles, their families originating in Virginia and North Carolina. After going through the grammar and high schools of Robinson, Ill, Mr. Stiles taught for five years in the country, and one year at Oblong and two years in Robinson, holding at all times first-grade county certificates. About 1895 he began the study of law with Jones, Eagleton & Newlin, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1899. He opened his office for the practice of his profession in Robinson, May 30, 1900, but later decided to embark in the real estate business, and results have proven the wisdom of his choice.

Mr. Stiles has become a very important factor in the business life of the city and is a member of the People's Exchange, the leading real estate exchange of Crawford County, and has agents in the oil fields in Crawford, Clark and Lawrence Counties, and does a large business in sending enigrants to Texas and the Dakotas. He is now serving a second term as Police Magistrate of Robinson. In 1906 he ran for the office of County Judge on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated. Fraternally he is Noble Grand of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, and Past Chancellor of Robert Bruce Lodge, No. 191, Knights of Pythias; was Junior Warden of Robinson Lodge, A. F. & 4. M.; Clerk of the Modern Woodmen of America for about two years, and secretary of the Robinson Club. In religious connections he is a member of the First Christian Church of Robinson, and for a number of years was Superintendent of the Sunday school. In polities he is a Democrat, and for several years has served as Treasurer of the County Central Committee.

On March 1, 1908, Mr. Stiles was married to Miss Anna E. Fox, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John C. Fox, Sr. She was born in Michigan, and married at Louisville, Ky., the Rev. John Moody, formerly pastor of the First Christian Church of Robinson, officiating. Mrs. Stiles' brother, Howard Fox, is a noted singer. but is now employed in the Pure Food office of the

State, in the city of Chicago. Another brother, John, was killed by an electric wire in the streets of Robinson, in May, 1908. A man of scholarly tastes and able to throw light upon many subjects, drawing from a fund of rich experience and years of association with people of all classes, Mr. Stiles is also a man of executive ability and highly practical ideas.

STONER, Jesse Corwin. - A veteran of the Civil War, being one of those who enlisted when the country was most in need of his services, a substantial farmer who has honestly earned all that he possesses and a good, Christian man and devoted husband and father, is the record of the life of Jesse Corwin Stoner, of La Motte Township, Crawford County. Mr. Stoner was born in Montgomery County, Ohio, nine miles from Dayton, July 19, 1844, a son of Daniel Stoner. The latter was born January 1, 1810, in Maryland. By trade he was a weaver, but when about thirty he took up a farm in Montgomery County. Ohio, consisting of 146 acres, but in 1871 moved to Crawford County, Ill., and died in La Motte Township, August 20, 1898. His wife's maiden name was Esther Pfoutz, and she was born December 10, 1809, in Maryland, and died in Crawford County, June 25, 1891, in the same township as her husband.

Jesse Corwin Stoner attended the public schools in Montgomery County, Ohio, and has always worked on a farm, early learning how to properly conduct one. On November 15. 1866, he married in Dayton, Ohio, Mary M. Bookwalter, of Montgomery County, that State, who was born on a farm in February, 1848, a daughter of Jacob and Katherine (Stover) Bookwalter. The following children have been born to Mr. and Mrs. Stoner: Amy Alice, born September 26, 1867, in Montgomery County, Ohio, married William J. Fitzpatrick, a farmer of La Motte Township. Crawford County, Ill.; Minnie Catherine, born May 22, 1869, in Montgomery County, Ohio, married Harvey Royer, a farmer in Ohio on December 21, 1892, and they have two children, a boy and a girl; Lizzie E., born December 1, 1871, in Montgomery County, Ohio. married William Swinger of La Motte Township, on December 20, 1893, and died July 23, 1894, no issue; Iletta, born March 22, 1873, in La Motte Township, Crawford County, as were the rest of the children, married N. F. Goodwin, of La Motte Township, September 30, 1896, at Montpelier, Ind. and they have four boys: Chloe, born August 28, 1875, married. William J. Fitzpatrick of La Motte Township, and died November 29, 1899, in La Motte Township; Gertie, born June 16. 1878, married Howard Garber, an optician of Lawrence County, Ill, and they now live in Paris, Ill, and have a boy and a girl; Edith Rebecca, born February 25, 1879, married J. C. Fitzpatrick, brother of William J. Fitzpatrick, on March 14, 1900, they live in La Motte Township and have one child; Ruth. born March 14, 1883, died at the age of six years and six months, October 1, 1889, on the homestead; Orlando W., born September 2,

1885, married Mertie Staten of La Motte Town- Ship, June 5, 1906, no issue; Ethel, born August 3, 1889, unmarried, living at home. and Daniel Glenn, born January 1, 1891, and died November 21, 1895.

With his brother, Wiliam H., Mr. Stoner came to Crawford County, Ill., in October, 1854, and after remaining there about eighteen months. returned to his native State of Ohio. In February, 1871, accompanied by his wife and family, he again came to Crawford County, locating in La Motte Township, where he remained until 1873, occupying rented land. In June of that year he purchased 140 acres on Sections 25 and 26, La Motte Township, and was engaged in farming upon it for seven years, when he removed- to his present location on Section 15, which he rented for three years, when he bought 120 acres of it. About 1888 he sold 40 acres of the eastern portion of this tract and bought 140 acres on the south. About the same time he sold his original purchase on Sections 25 and 26, and then bought 50 acres on Section 20. He now owns 270 acres, of which 220 are improved.

Mr. Stoner has been a member of the Church of the United Brethren for thirty-seven years. in which he is an elder and local preacher, holding services in the church at La Motte. He is beloved by his people and has accomplished a great deal of good, not only in the church but by his excellent example and kindly words of advice.

In May, 1864, Mr. Stoner enlisted in the One Hundred Thirty-first Ohio Volunteer Fnfantry, Col. John G. Lowe commanding, and was honorably discharged in August, 1864, at Camp Chase, Ohio, and there mustered out of the service, He has been a school director of his township four terms, has been school trustee for five terms, and is a very conscientious public official.

SWARIN, William, was born in Frankfort, Germany. February 8, 1833. His father's name was Jacob Von Sehwerin, and his mother Eliza Deveraux, who was born near Paris, France. His father was a Major-General in the German Army and fought against Napoleon at the Battle of Waterloo.

William Swarin was educated in the common schools of Germany and at the University of Vienna, Austria, and came to this country at the age of sixteen years on a sailing vessel, being on the sea fifty-three days, and landing in New York, August 8, 1849. He entered the store of Tyler, Davidson & Company at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1850, and remained there for about a year. He then entered the store of James Van Hise where he remained two years.

In 1854 Mr. Swarin was married to Martha Burch. and of this union three children were born: Albert W., Julia E. and Lillie S. He emigrated to Illinois in the year 1865 and engaged in farming. Mr. Swarin was for twentyone years secretary of the Crawford County Agricultural Society, serving longer consecutively in that office than any other Agricultural Society secretary in the State. He was elected

County Treasurer of Crawford County in 1890, and served four years. He is a member of the Methodist Church and affiliated with the Republiean party.

SWEARINGEN, Christiana Amanda. - The farms of La Motte Township, Crawford County, Ill, are models, and their fertile acres reflect the prosperity of the owners. Comfortable farmhouses, spacious barns, well-kept premises, broad fields filled with grain or sleek cattle, are usual sights in this part of the State, and among the well-known farmers of this locality is Mrs. Christiana Amanda Swearingen, who was born near Wesley Chapel, Palestine, Ill, April 15, 1830, a daughter of Johnson and Amelia (Spraggins) Crews. Mr. Crews, a native of Tennessee, born in 1802, and died on the old homestead near Wesley Chapel, in 1885. Mrs. Crews was born in Kentucky in 1810, and died in La Motte Township in 1882. By occupation Mr. Crews was a farmer and Mrs. Swearingen, while living on a farm, was educated in the district school. The Spraggins family came to Crawford County in 1816.

In June, 1850, Christiana Amanda Crews was married in Wesley Chapel, Palestine, to Thomas Jefferson Cunningham, a farmer, and their chiljren were: Thomas Hooper, born August 7, 1851, married Carrie Pifer, and they have one daughter; William Owen, born April 3, 1853, married Mary Otey, and they have two daughters and one son; Charles Augustus, born January 27, 1855, married Rose Seaney, and they have a son and a daughter. Mr. Cunningham died in 1859.

On November 27, 1872, Mrs. Cunningham married Samuel Goodale Swearingen, but of this marriage there is no issue. Mr. Swearingen was born in Ohio, January 8, 1806, and died September 3, 1900, and is buried in Wesley Chapel Cemetery, Palestine. He was ninety-four years of age at the time of his death. In addition to owning a fine farm of 360 acres, the present property of his widow, Mr. Swearingen was vicepresident of the First National Bank of Robinson. He was a Mason and prominent in the order. Mrs. Swearingen has been a member of the Methodist Church for sixty years, and Mr. Swearingen was also a member of the same denomination. Mr. Swearingen was one of the early settlers of Crawford County, having come from Ohio with his father in 1851, and this was his home until his death. Mrs. Swearingen has made Crawford County her home with the exception of some time she spent in Morgan County, Il., during the life of her first husband, having moved there soon after their marriage, but within a year after his death she returned to Crawford County, and is now living in Palestine. Since the death of Mr. Swearingen, Mrs. Swearingen has rented her farm to three persons, dividing it into three parts of 120 acres each. While for a number of years prior to his death, owing to his age and infirmities, Mr. Swearingen took no part in public affairs, in younger years he was always interested in local matters, and was closely identified with the best measures of his community. He was a son of Thomas V. Swearingen, born December 19, 1779, in Virginia, and died in Crawford County, September 29, 1863. The mother of Mr. Swearingen bore the maiden name of Theodosia Goodale, who was born February 25, 1785, and died April 6, 1832, probably in Ohio, before the family came to Crawford County. Mr. Swearingen cleared off a large amount of land, and was numbered among the representative pioneers of Crawford County. Mrs. Swearingen is highly esteemed, not only among her church people, but by all who know her, and she has always been an excellent mother, a devoted wife and kind neighbor, and a credit to her sex and community.

TAYLOR, George T., deceased, late President of the Flat Rock Bank, which was organized in 1905 with George T. Taylor as president, John H. Taylor as vice-president and Grant Taylor as cashier, was one of the conservative business men of his locality, whose financial foresight and executive ability were demonstrated by his business experience, especially during the late panic. He was born in Fauquier County, Va., January 23, 1835, a son of Hubbard Taylor, the latter born in Prince William County, Va., and drowned in the Shenandoah River about 1858. occupation he was a miller and farmer. He married Cora Hickley. The grandfather Taylor was a soldier in the War of 1812 and first cousin of President Zachary Taylor.

Mr. Taylor was edueated in the subscription schools of his neighborhood, and reared on a farm. In 1865 he came to Moultrie County, Ill., and purchased a farm, which he operated until 1873. In that year he sold his farm in Moultrie County, and embarked in the milling business in Douglas County, Ill., but in May, 1877, came to Crawford County, and for thirty years was in the milling business at Flat Rock. Selling this business, he organized the Flat Rock Bank in 1905 and, with his two sons, carried on this financial institution, gaining the confidence of his community at large.

On December 25, 1855, Mr. Taylor was married in Harrison County, W. Va., to Elizabeth Catherine Custer, daughter of James and Ellen (Dawson) Custer, and first cousin of General George A. Custer, The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Taylor ^vere: Ellen C., born August 13, 1858; John 'H., born September 8, 1860; Adelaide, born May 30, 1862; Laudora, born May 4, 1864; Alice L., born January-23, 1866; Grant, born January 8, 1868; Drussie, born February 7, 1876; Charles Custer, born January 1, 1882. Ellen married Dr. Dailey of Lawrence County, Ill, and had one child, Leona, now three years old. Dr. Dailey died August 30, 1905. John H. married Lula C. Barnes, daughter of George D. and Gallahue (Fish) Barnes, her father being a merchant and farmer who died at Terre Haute, Ind. They had three children: Hugh C., born September 15, 1890; Nellie, born January 17, 1900, and Harry, who died when three years old. Adelaide married J. D. Reaville of Crawford

County, and she has four children: Orman, Nellie, Fred and George. Laudora married William E. Bond, formerly of Baltimore, Md., and a dealer in wagons and buggies located at Flat Rock. Mr. and Mrs. Bond have one child, George T. Grant married Lilian Tohill, daughter of Lewis N. Tohill Drussie married Charles R. Duncan, hardware and furniture dealer of Flat Rock, no issue. Charles Custer married Emma Heatb, a daughter of Randolph Heath, and they have two children: Theodore, born November 9, 1904, and Elizabeth, born in 1906.

Mr. Taylor was a Republican and served Flat Rock as school director, village trustee, school trustee and highway commissioner, and was always found ready to co-operate in the advancement of any publie enterprise calculated to benefit the community. He was a member of the Methodist Chureh for thirty-eight years, which he served as one of its trustees, as well as one of the most liberal contributors to its support. His death occurred November 23, 1908, when the community was bereft of one of its valuable citizens.

TAYLOR, John Holmes. - Since oil was discovered in Crawford County, there has been a great change in the industrial and commercial life. New interests have arisen, connected more or less intimately with the oil fields, and more people and more capital are constantly being concentrated here. As a result property has increased in value to a remarkable degree, and those fortunate enough to possess land with oil producing wells, are numbered among the most wealthy in this part of the State. Among those who have been «very prominent in the development of the oil fields, is John Holmes Taylor of Oblong Township. He was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, February 20, 1839, a son of Henry and Elizabeth (Holmes) Taylor, and grandson of John and Eleanor Taylor. John Taylor was born in Maryland, April 10, 1766, was a farmer by occupation, and died June 5, 1843. His wife, also a native of Maryland, born February 12, 1767, died July 8, 1849. Henry Taylor the father was born in Maryland, but was brought to Fairfield County, Ohio, in childhood. His wife was born in Fairfield County, Ohio, a daughter of Thomas Holmes. His home was a stopping place for many distinguished men, among those he was accustomed to entertain being the Sherman brothers, General William Tecumseh and John, Thomas Ewing, and many others, He was an early settler of Ohio, and a very prominent man. The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry Taylor were: Adeline M., born August 20, 1835; Thomas, born March 7, 1837, and died at the age of two months; John H., born February 20, 1839; Emory W., born November 6, 1840; George, born March 25, 1842; Jacob L., born March 23, 1844; Eli F., born April 2, 1846, and Orlando C., born February 26, 1851.

The father had some land Crawford County, which he proposed dividing among several of his sons. John Holmes Taylor, as the eldest living son, was given 100 acres, and another 100 acres was to have been given to the next son, Emory, but in the fall of 1861 he enlisted in the First Ohio Cavalry and went to Tennessee. Just before the holidays he was taken very sick, and although he was brought to his home in Fairfield County, he died three weeks after his return, and the property went to the next son, George. 'The latter cleared off the property and lived on it until he moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where he began farming ten miles from that city. He married in Fairfield, Ohio, Rhine Messmore, and they live near Fort Wayne, Ind. They have four children, all married, who re- Side on the old homestead. Jacob L. Taylor owns his father's homestead in Fairfield County, where he now resides. He was in the 100-days' service during the Civil War. His first wife was Hannah Van Husen, by whom he had one son and three daughters. His second wife was Emma Everhardt. Eli T. is a widower and lives in Columbus, Ohio, where he is engaged in an insurance business, having been with his present firm for thirteen years. He has three sons and one daughter, all of whom are married and he makes his home with his daughter. Orlando C. died of diphtheria when eight years old, May 9, 1861.

John Holmes Taylor attended the district School in Fairfield County, Ohio, and then went to a private school to fit himself for the Wesleyan (Ohio) University. After finishing he taught school for four winters. In March, 1862, he came to Crawford County, Ill. making the trip on horseback, and being eight and one-half days on the road. He immediately commenced to clear up and improve his land and from that time to the present his home has been on Section 14, Oblong Township.

On March 12, 1863, Mr. Taylor married Grace M. Vernon, in Columbus, Ohio, her parents being Joseph and Catherine (Pickering) Vernon, both natives of Virginia. Mr. and Mrs. Taylors children are: Orlando G., now a physician of Palestine; Edwin V., died at Lebanon, Ohio; Edith A. a widow with one child, resides in Robinson, Ill; Edson H., unmarried, lives in Charleston, Ill, is a teacher of mathematies in the State Norma] School; Catherine Eugenia, unmarried and lives at home.

In polities Mr. Taylor is a Republican. For fifty-two years he has been a member of the Methodist Church, of which his wife is also a member. He has been steward and a class leader in his church. Mr. Taylor cleared off the 100 aeres his father gave him, and has added to his property until he now has 400 acres in Crawford County, on which are fifteen producing oil wells, and he is constantly drilling for more. He owns 80 acres in Cross County, Ark. All of his Crawford County property is cleared except 40 acres of timberland. He has a thoroughly modern home of eleven rooms, with all improvements, surrounded by a beautiful lawn, in which trees are interpersed with ornamental shrubs and flowers, The Taylors are very hospitable and their home is the scene of many pleasant gatherings. Mr. Taylor is a man who commands universal respect and confidence, and the results whieh he has attained by his long years of hard work and thrifty economy are very satisfactory in every way.

TAYLOR, Samson (deceased), who served as County Treasurer of Crawford County, and was an old and honored resident of Robinson, was born in Champaign County, Ohio, February 22, 1825, coming to 'Crawford County, Ill., in 1848, and settling on a farm in the present township of Honey Creek, where he bought 80 acres, later adding 60 acres more. In politics he was a Democrat and was very active, being elected frequently to the offices of Collector and Treasurer. In 1868 he embarked in a mercantile business, but in 1874 was burned out, and then left Crawfordsville where he had established his business and returned to his farm. In 1846 he joined the Masonic fraternity. On June 18, 1846, he married Barbara Taylor, and they had children as follows: Joseph B., Sarah L., Julia A., Henry, Hiram, Mary A., Samson, James C., Charles A., John H., George, William S., David Y.

TEMPLETON, Gilbert W. W. - The farming interests of Crawford County are in the hands of thoroughly competent men whose ability and trustworthiness have been well tested. They are adopting scientifie methods in their work with gratifying results, and this part of the State is fast becoming one of the garden spots of the world. Among those who have materially aided in bringing about such a condition of affairs is Gilbert W. W. Templeton, a farmer and Stock-raiser of Section 25, Montgomery Township, Crawford County. He was born near Hardinville, Crawford County, February 19, 1858,

John Templeton, the father of David Templeton, and grandfather of Gilbert W. W., soon after the birth of his son, David Templeton, moved to Rush County, Ind., where the family remained a short time, and then located in Greene County, Ohio, and there they resided until David Templeton was twenty-three years old. At that time they came to Illinois, settling in Oblong Township, Crawford County, on a raw prairie farm. John Templeton married Eleanor Cox, who was born in Ohio, and they had children as follows: David, Elizabeth, Hannah, Nancy Jane, William and Mary.

David Templeton was educated in Greene County, Ohio, and after coming to Crawford County, taught school in this and Lawrence Counties for seven years. On September 30, 1852, he married Amazonia Mills, daughter of Edward Mills and Abigail (Howard) Mills. The latter was a daughter of Edward and Abigail Howard. Edward Mills was the father of the following family: William Howard, Matilda, Thomas Wilson, Jane, Edward Perry, Martha, Amazonia, Maurice Krumble, Harry Palmer, and George Ira.

education in the district schools of the neighborhood where he now resides. He assisted his father on the farm, and helped to clear off the land. At his father's death, he and his brothers discovered that David Templeton had signed notes for supposed friends, and in order to meet his obligations, had been obliged to heavily mortgage the homestead. The young men paid off the mortgages, and through unremitting labor now own 320 acres. Mr. Templeton has 12 acres in his own right.

On September 14, 1890, Mr. Templeton married Laura Martin, a daughter of John and Sarah C. Martin. Mrs. Templeton was born in La Motte Township, Crawford County, and three months after her birth, her father died. Her mother moved to Ohio in the fall of 1866 and lived there until the fall of 1875, when she and her children then returned and settled two miles northwest of Palestine. At the time of her death Mrs. Martin lived with Mrs. Templeton. Mr. and Mrs. Templeton became the parents of the following named children: Hoyt D., born September 18. 1891; Lena V., born October 6, 1893; Ethel J., born May 25, 1895; Abbie Ruth, born July 30, 1898, died August 17, 1901; Ruby. born January 29, 1908, died April 24, 1908. John and Sarah Martin were the parents of six children. as follows: Josephus Perry, born September 29, 1853; Alvin Leslie, born October 17, 1855; Mary Ellen, born September 6, 1859, and died August 7, 1860; an infant daughter, born August 8, 1861, and died in seven hours; Ethelinda, born September 14, 1862; Laura Alice, born January 8, 1866.

Mr. Templeton was one of a family of five sons and one daughter, as follows: John Edward, born April 15, 1854; Benjamin Franklin, born February 11, 1856; Gilbert Wallace, born February 19, 1858; Urban R., born September 12, 1860; David and Mary, twins, born February 13, 1864.

Mr. Templeton is a member of the Christian Church and is much interested in its work. He is a Republican politically, and takes an act- Ive interest in township affairs, although he has never aspired to public preferment. He is a good farmer and understands the cultivation of his land. He and his brothers had a heavy load to carry for many years and deserve great credit for the hard work done and the results accomplished.

THOMAS, Samuel R., Postmaster of Oblong, Ill., and one of the progressive men of his locality, was born in Elkhart County, Ind., December 24, 1871, a son of John and Mary A. (Long) Thomas. The great-great-grandfather came to America with a Scotch clan. locating in South Carolina. The father, John Thomas, was born in Elkhart County, Ind., May 13, 1841. He served during the Civil War in the One Hundred and Fifty-second Infantry. The mother was born in Ashland County, Ohio. The Thomas family emigrated from South Carolina to Northern Indiana, where the majority of the family now reside.

Samuel R. Thomas attended the Oblong publie schools and passed his boyhood days on a farm south of Oblong, and all of his spare time was spent in reading history. He has never lost that intense love of history, and keeps thoroughly abreast of the history of his own times. When twenty-two he began making history himself by enlisting in the United States Army on February 14, 1893, and served in Captain Capron's company of Light Artillery, Battery E, First U. S. Artillery. until disabled by a premature explosion of a piece of artillery while firing a salute in honor of General Charles King, the novelist.

The first publie office held by Mr. Thomas was as President of the Village Board, to which he was elected on the Independent ticket by a majority of two to one. He was elected Supervisor in 1905, over D. W. Odell a strong Democrat and a good business man, and was re-elected in 1907 over D. H. Hoke, by a large majority, but in 1906 was defeated by a small majority for County Clerk by C. O. Harper. He served as clerk in the postoffice from 1898 to 1901, when he was appointed Assistant Postmaster, and served in this capacity until he was appointed Postmaster in 1907. A Republican in politics, Mr. Thomas has always voted his party ticket, and has served as member of committees and delegate to conventions. He is a believer in rotation in office and a follower of the politics of Lincoln, McKinley and Roosevelt.

On October 28. 1896, Mr. Thomas was married to Miss Nellie F. Newbold, a daughter of D. F. Newbold, one of the pioneers of Crawford County, a man of strong religious faith, who has brought up his children accordingly. Mr. and Mrs. Thomas have two children: Francis N., born April 16, 1898, and John D., born July 12, 1902. Mr. Thomas is a charter member of the first Sons of Veterans Camp in Crawford County; was initiated in the Odd Fellows Lodge, No. 850, in 1900, and has served as trustee of that order almost continuously ever since. He is an energetic. enterprising young man, very popular and widely known.

THOMPSON, William Addison, State's Attorney of Crawford County, Ill, is one of the successful young attorneys of this locality, born in Crawford County, May 29, 1870, a son of Joseph and Nancy Ann (Maxwell) Thompson, and grandson of William Thompson, who came from Tennessee, and was the first Postmaster of Flat Rock. He owned a farm about a mile west of Flat Rock, and was a shoemaker by trade. Joseph Thompson, his son, was a farmer and merchant, and was successful in both avocations.

William Addison Thompson is a man of wide legal knowledge, being equally versed in criminal, civil, chancery, admiralty or patent law, and thus well fitted for the discharge of the duties of his present responsible office. He was educated in the schools of Crawford County, and was engaged in teaching from 1890 to 1899, and at the same time read law undér P. G. Bradbury, and later with Valmore Parker, being admitted to the bar in 1896. As early as 1901 he became prominent in Republican politics, being then elected a Justice of the Peace in Robinson Town- Ship. In 1904 he was chosen State's Attorney on the Republican ticket, and while occupying this office has collected more money for the school fund than all of his predecessors combined. He has also prosecuted with vigor many foreign corporations, and has been a most efficient public officer. He has declined re-election, and intends to resume his private practice at the expiration of his term of ofüce.

In 1896 Mr. Thompson was married to Miss Lena L. Mills, born in Lawrence County, in 1871. While living at Flat Rock and Birds he was principal of the schools in those several 10- calities. Mrs. Thompson's father, as was Mr. Thompson's, was a soldier of the Civil War, the latter serving in Company I, Twenty-first Illinois Volunteer Infantry, General Grant's old regiment. Mr. Thompson is a member of the Masonie and Odd Fellows fraternities and has passed all the chairs in the latter order. He has done yeoman service for his party, and is regarded as one of the Republican leaders in Crawford County. A conscientious lawyer and scrupulous publie official, Mr. Thompson has made a record for himself of which he may well be proud, and is justly regarded as one of the county's representative professional men.

TOHILL, Lewis N. - Each year the ranks of the veterans of the Civil War are thinned by the enemy Death, but there are still surviving enough to keep before the present generation the memory of the gallant deeds of those who were not found wanting in courage and patriotism in the time of the country's direst need. One of them in Honey Creek Township, Crawford County, Dl., is Lewis N. Tohill who enlisted in Company E, Ninety-eighth Regiment. Illinois Volunteer Infantry, August 11, 1862, and served bravely until August 23, 1863, when he was honorably discharged, for general disability, at Bowling Green, Ky. Mr. Tohill was born in Honey Creek Township, two and one-half miles west of his present home, June 27, 1839, a son of John and Martha (Springer) Tohill. John Tohil was born in Fairfield County, Pa., September 16. 1816, and died December 11, 1904, in Macon County, Ill, on his farm of 270 acres. His widow was born in Hocking County, Ohio, in April. 1818, and is still living on the farm in Macon County, Ill. 1823 John Tohill moved to the vicinity of Lancaster, Ohio, and was engaged in farming there until 1838, when he sold his property, and moved with his father to Crawford County. Ill.. settling two and onehalf miles west of Flat Rock. He there entered 160 acres of land at $1.25 per acre, while his father entered 280 acres, and at that time the county was in a very wild state. There were no roads, all the houses were built of logs, and greased paper took the place of glass for windows, and there were no churches or schoolhouses. As soon as there were enough people to subscribe for a subscription school, one was

Started. "There was plenty of wild game, and deer could be found anywhere, and it was necessary to surround the fields with a stockade of pointed stakes to keep them out. It was also necessary to dig a few feet to get water, and much of the land was a swamp.

Lewis N. Tohill attended a district school in the winter and worked on the farm in the summer, as did all the boys of his neighborhood. He was the eldest of twelve children, the others being: Noah W., Lawrence (deceased), Jonas M., Mary, Martha, Sarah, George, Ella, Andrew Jackson, Eli and Clara Bell When Lewis N. reached maturity he commenced farming for himself and he has been thus engaged ever since, with the exception of the time when he was in the army. In 1861, Mr. Tohill bought 40 acres of land, which is a part of his present farni, 20 acres of which had been improved and on which was a log cabin. He continued to add to his first purchase until he now has 285 acres, and this he has improved, erecting all of the buildings thereon. While a stanch Republican, and a man interested in all publie enterprises, Mr. Tohill has never accepted public office. He belongs to Harrison Post, G. A. R., of Palestine. When he was eighteen he joined the United Brethren Church, and has been a faithful member for fifty years.

On May 16, 1861, Mr. Tohill married Cynthia Ann Jones, a daughter of John M. and Elizabeth (Ford) Jones, natives of Kentucky. The children born of this marriage were: William L., born September 16, 1862; Noah M., born December 10, 1864; Ira Hanby, born December 23, 1866; Henry Grant, born September 5, 1868; Mary Lillian, born May 18, 1870; Lizzie, born February 6, 1872. Mrs. Tohill died August 4, 1874, and on December 19, 1875, Mr. Tohill married Amanda F. Fisher, daughter of George and Elizabeth Fisher, natives of Germany and Penn- Sylvania, respectively. The children born of this marriage were: Ada, born January 19, 1877; Frank E., born December 1, 1878; Dora, born January 21, 1880; Lulu Avis, born July 29, 1881; Charles Roscie, born August 14, 1882; Millie O., born December 15, 1883; Lena IL, born December 15, 1885; Chester Clarence, born June 3, 1887; Annie Marie, born December 24, 1889; Lester, born February 28, 1892; Leota, born March 24, 1897; and John M., born June 9, 1899.

TRACY, Elijah - The farming interests of Crawford County are in the hands of able, intelligent, capable men. whose knowledge of agricultural matters is thorough, and who are making their farming pay them handsome profits. Coming, as he does, of an old pioneer family, Elijah Tracy of Oblong Township is one of its representative men. He was born in Robinson Township, January 24, 1858, a son of Elijah and Nancy (Myer) Tracy. Elijah Tracy was born in Pennsylvania, April 11, 1815, and his wife in Ohio, October 19, 1821. They had children as follows: Peter. born October 18, 1839; Jane, born April 11, 1841; Myer, born September 10, 1843; John, born January 5, 1844; Maranda, born March 28, 1846; Maritta, born April 11, 1847; Vanderhoff, born December 4, 1850; Mary Catherine, born November 9, 1853; Elijah, born January 24, 1858; George Washington, born August 18, 1863; and a boy who died in infancy. Elijah Tracey came from Pennsylvania to Crawford County, Ill., in 1847 and entered 80 acres of land in Robinson Township, later adding to his holdings so that he owned 300 acres at the time of his death.

Elijah Tracy, the younger, attended Grassy Hollow School until eighteen. His marriage occurred November 29, 1880, in Oblong Township to Mary E. Acker, daughter of Jacob and Nancy (Randolph) Acker, the Rev. Harry Broadstone performing the ceremony. Mr. and Mrs. Acker were both from Perry County. Ohio, where the mother was born November 22, 1833, and she died July 15, 1903. Jacob Acker enlisted August 20, 1862, and while in service died of typhoid fever in Vicksburg Hospital, August 15, 1863.

Mr. and Mrs. Tracy have two children: Henry, born September 17, 1881, married Cora Alice Wiseman, daughter of Edward and Euphemia Wiseman, farmers of Oblong Township, and they have two daughters; and Charles Otis. born December 24, 1897. Mr. Tracy is a Republican in his political relations, but is not an office seeker. He owns 65 acres; 60 acres in Oblong Township and five acres in Robinson Township and has one oil-producing well upon the Robinson place. The family are well known in their community and Mr. Tracy is among the popular men of his neighborhood.