Edgar County, Illinois - The whole text, 1879 (part 21 of 24)

OTIS ELDREDGE, firmer and stockgrower, Sec. 16 ; P. O. Paris; is a native of Stark Co., Ohio; was born Jan. 7, 1822; lived there until the age of 18; then moved to Clark Co., Ill.; this was in 1839 ; remained there until 1842, then came to Edgar Co., where be has since lived, and on the same farm where he now resides; during bis boyhood, he had but. little chance of getting an education, but by home study and some perseverance, he became a fair scholar. Was married Dec. 22, 1842, to Miss Catherine Clapp, of Edgar Co.; they have a family of nine children - five boys and four girls. He be¬ gan business for himself at the age of 21 ; had no material assistance from his father, but by hard work, economy and good man¬ agement, he now has a farm of 217 acres of good land, well improved, valued at about $40 per acre. Mr. Eldredge is one of the old pioneers, having lived in the county thirty-six years ; has seen and helped to make many of the improvements in the development of it ; has always been a friend to churches, schools and the poor ; he is a man that has earned a good name and reputation by having been honest and upright in his business transactions ; is a sociable, genial gentleman and known as one among the more prominent and bet¬ ter class of citizens of Edgar Co.

of James Green, who was a native of Lon¬ don, England ; Mr. Green was born in 1805; came to Edgar Co., in 1825; had learned the trade of tailoring before he left Kentucky ; this he followed about three years in Paris, then began farming ; but still worked at his trade during cold weather for a number of years ; while a boy, he had no opportunities of getting an education. Was married in 1827, to Miss Eunice Redmond, of his native place ; she passed away Aug. 29, 1876, leaving four children - George W., Cinderella, Charles F. and Elizabeth, now deceased; at the time of beginning business for him¬ self, he had no assistance, but by hard work and good management, he has accu¬ mulated property enough to help his chil¬ dren liberally and have 125 acres of good land left ; he is one of the older pioneers of the county, well known and respected by many friends ; can look back with sat¬ isfaction upon his efforts to accumulate property for his old age and for his chil¬ dren.

MARY HANKS, widow of William Hanks, now deceased, Paris, who was one of the early settlers of Edgar Co.; he was born April 30, 1807 ; was a native of Montgomery Co., Ky. Was married Sept. 7, 1827, to Miss Mary O' Hair of Wolfe Co., Ky.; in 1828, they came to Edgar Co., and settled on the farm where Mrs. Hanks now lives ; they came with scarcely any property, but, as time went on, they accumulated property quite rapidly for those early times. Subjected to all the hardships of pioneer life, deprived of churches and many social pleasures, he still worked on, and at the time of his death, which occurred Nov. 6, 1875, he left a fine property of nearly eight hundred acres of good land. He was a pioneer that, during his life, was always ready to give liberally to any enterprise that he deemed for the public good ; was a friend to the schools, the churches and the poor ; was a member of the Christian Church twenty- five years previous to his death. He was mourned by a large circle of old friends and pioneers Mrs. Hanks, now 69 years old, is still active and smart. They had a family of fourteen children, thirteen of which are still living.

Hanks, a prominent farmer of this county ; passed away 1875. The subject of this obtained but a commou-school education, but by observation and practice has become a practical business man ; he began for himself early in life. In 1850, he emi¬ grated to California, and remained sotne two years prospecting and mining. On March 20, 1853, he married Miss Maria Gregg, of this county ; they have six chil¬ dren living - Mary E., (now Mrs. S. Hybarger), Forest, John E., Franklin P., Rolley and Rosa. Mr. H. has made farm¬ ing his principals business thus far through life, and now owns 305 acres of well-im¬ proved land. He is a well-to-do and muchrespected citizen, that has always interested himself in all such public matters as per¬ tain to the good of the community in which has lived.

MARY JONES ; P. O. Paris ; widow of Geo. Jones, who died Sept. 5, 1878 ; Mr. Jones was born and raised in Mercer Co., Ky. ; came to Edgar Co. in 1831 ; was one of the old pioneers who did much to im¬ prove the county during his life. Was married Aug. 2, 1841, to Miss Mary Miller of Warren Co., Tenn, who still survives him. During his life was always ready to promote the advancement of churches and schools, and a helper of any enterprise pertaining to the public good. He had accumulated a property of 243 acres, this being the old home farm, which he left his family. Mr. Jones was a man of a high sense of honor, well respected by all who knew him, and known as one among the more prominent and better class of cit¬ izens of Edgar Co.

JAMES H. JENKINS, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Paris ; is a native of Henry Co., Ky. ; lived at his native place until the age of 16 ; went to Madison, Ind., where he remained nearly twenty years ; then came to Edgar Co. ; this was in 1856. Was married at the age of 25 to Miss Chloe A. Redman, of Kentucky ; they have a family of twelve children - nine boys and three girls ; he has a farm of 171 acres, well improved, which he has accumulated by his own hard work. Mr. Jenkins is an old settler, who is known as one of the honest, straightforward men of Sims Tp.

born March 10, 1818; lived at liis 1 birthplace until 1836 ; then moved to Ohio, lived there two years, then moved to Illinois; came to Edgar Co. in 1838; lived at his present residence since 1839 ; began business for himself at the age of 21, and by hard work he now has 260 acres of good land, valued at about $35 per acre. Mr. Keefer is one of the old settlers of the county ; has passed through many of the hardships incident to pioneer life ; has accumulated a good property and is known as a good, substantial citizen.

KEEFER LAUFMAN, farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0. Oliver; is a native of Frank¬ lin Co., Penn. ; was born June 21, 1824; lived at his birthplace until the age of 13, his parents then moving to Wayne Co., Ohio ; remained there two years and then removed to Edgar Co., Ill. When Mr. L. was about 22, he enlisted as a volunteer in the Mexican war, where he remained about one year. Upon his return, he engaged in the tanning business with his father ; this was in 1847 ; followed this business until 1870; then turned his attention to farm¬ ing. Was married Nov. 9, 1848, to Miss Harriet Shively, of Muskingum Co., Ohio ; they have a family of nine children - five boys and four girls ; he began business for himself with no assistance from his father ; but by hard work, economy and good man¬ agement he now has a farm of 240 acres, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Laufman is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co. ; has seen many changes made in the development of it during his residence of forty years ; is respected by many friends ; always ready to do his part toward for¬ warding any enterprise that is for the pub¬ lic good, and is known as one among the more prominent and better class of citizens of the county.

JAMES LEMASTERS, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 21; P. O. Paris; is a native of Edgar Co., Ill. ; was born Jan¬ uary 24, 1829, his father having lived in the county some time previous to his birth ; during his early life, he had no opportuni¬ ties of getting an education ; his father dying when he was 1 0 years old, he helped to conduct the work of the home farm for his mother until he was past 30. Was married Aug* 18, 1861, to Miss Sarah McCully, of Edgar Co. ; she died March 6, 1862 ; was married again April 25,

1866, to Miss Nancy Combs, who is also a native of Edgar Co. ; they have a family of two children - Mary E. and Edward H. Mr. Lemasters is one of the old pioneers of the county ; is now 49 years old" ; has passed his life on the farm where he was born, which he now owns ; it is sixty-four acres of well-improved land, valued at about $60 per acre ; has seen and helped to make many of the changes from a wild tract of land to a county that ranks among the better ones of the State of Illinois.

J. Gr. LYCAN, farmer and stock raiser ; Sec. 19; P. O. Paris; is a native of Morgan Co., Ky. ; his father being a native of North Carolina ; Mr. L. was born April 4, 1827 ; lived at his birth¬ place until about 4 years old, his parents then moving to Edgar Co.; during his boyhood, he had but little chance of get¬ ting an education, but by home study and close observation he succeeded in gaining a good common-school education ; began business for himself at the age of 22, at farming ; has always followed this business. Was married Dec. 14, 1849, to Miss Angelina Downs, of Culpepper Co., Va.; they have a family of six children - Susan F., Riley S., Serena C., Anderson A., William H. and Albert E. At the time of beginning business for himself, Mr. L. had but little assistance, but by hard work, economy and good management he now has 160 acres of well-improved land in Crawford Co., Ill., 2,500 acres in Texas and his home farm of 131 acres, which is well improved with good buildings and all modern conveniences. Mr. Lycan is one of the old pioneers, is well known and respected by many friends.

A. T. LAUGrHLIN, farmer ; Sec. 17; P. O. Paris ; is a native of Edgar Co., Sims being his native township ; was born April 2, 1850 ; his father being one of the early settlers. A. T. is now conducting the old home farm of 140 acres, 112 acres of which he now owns. He has acquired a good common-school education ; is one of the young men of the township that is well spoken of and in good standing. Though still young he has a nice farm and good home, which he is conducting with credit to himself and his friends.

Co., Ill.; lived there until 5 years old; his parents then moving to Edgar Co., this being in 1823 ; in this early day, he hud but little chance of getting an educa¬ tion ; learned the trade of a cooper and followed this business until about 1850 ; then turned his attention to farming, which he has since followed. Was mar¬ ried in 1848, to Miss Nancy Dill, of Ken¬ tucky ; they have only one child - Cynthia (now Mrs. G. Hinson). Mr. L. is one of the old pioneers of the county ; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild tract of land to a county of prosperity and plenty.

J. V. LYCAN, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Paris ; is another of the old pioneers of Edgar Co. ; he is a native of Morgan Co., Ky ; was born Jan. 28, 1820, his father being a native of North Carolina ; Mr. L. lived at his native place in Kentucky until nearly 12 years old, his parents at this time moving to Edgar Co. ; this was in 1831 ; during his boyhood, he had but little chance of ac¬ quiring an education, but by home study and close observation, he being naturally of quick perception, he became a fair scholar. Was married Oct. 4, 1842, to Miss Lydia Ogden, of his native county ; they have » family of twelve children, five boys and seven girls. He began busi¬ ness for himself at the age of 22 ; had no assistance from his father, but by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a property of nearly 1,000 acres, one-half section being located in Buck Tp., 160 acres in Paris Tp., and his home farm of nearly 500 acres. Mr. Lycan is a man who has earned a good reputation by being honest and upright in his dealings ; is well known as one of the solid, substan¬ tial men of Edgar Co.

DAVID O. LAUGHLIN, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. O. Paris ; is another native of Edgar Co. ; was born Dec. 9, 1833, his fath¬ er being a native of East Tennessee ; came to Edgar Co. in 1829 ; was a man well known, not only on account of his polit¬ ical views, being a very strong Antislavery man, but a man who was known and re¬ spected for his honesty, integrity and true moral worth ; he died Feb. 15, 1861 ; Mr. L.'s present residence is a part of the old home farm. He was married Sept. 3, 1856, to Miss Z. E. Osborn, daughter of

Col. Osborn, then of Bowling Green, Ind. 1 they have a family of three children - John W,, Elmer O. and Annie D. Mr. L. began business for himself at the age of

21, in Webster City, Iowa, dealing in merchandise ; remained there about one year and a half ; then came back to Ed¬ gar Co., and began farming; this he fol¬ lowed for ten years ; then engaged in the dry goods business in Paris ; conducted this business little over one year, then re¬ turned to the farm ; he has acquired a good education through study and busi¬ ness experience ; they have a nice home of ninety-one acres of fine land, valued at about $70 per acre. Mr. L. is a pioneer that has many friends, is well known and respected in the community where he is known.

GEO. W. MOBBIS, farmer and stock breeder ; P. O. Paris ; is a native of Sims Tp., Edgar Co. ; Jesse B. Mor¬ ris, his father, being one of the oldest settlers of the county, and a native of Scott Co., Ky. Mr. M. had the advantage of getting a good common-school educa¬ tion, which he improved ; was born Feb.

22, 1846 ; has never engaged in any bus¬ iness but farming and stock-breeding ; he has 136 acres of fine, improved land, be¬ sides the old home farm of 100 acres, which he is conducting for his mother, 70 acres of which he is heir to. Mr. Morris is still a young man, full of life and en¬ ergy, and doing his part toward developing the resources of Edgar Co.

MICHAEL O'HAIB (deceased), whose portrait appears in this work, was born in Montgomery Co., Ky., on the 10th of July, 1801 ; at an early age, he moved to Morgan Co., Ky., where he was married Nov. 16, 1820, at the age of 20, to Miss Lucretia Boyles, who survives him, re¬ markably healthy and stout for one of her age, and considering the hardships she has passed through, which were common to the first settlers of new countries. In October, 1825, he started for Illinois with his wife and two children, making the journey of 250 miles on horseback with four common horses, two of them rigged with pack-sad¬ dles, and, on the 28th of same month, landed on the farm which he owned at the time of his death, five miles south of Paris, on Big Creek. He was twice elected Sheriff of the county, and held officer voted him by the people for over thirty years. By his energy, decision of charac¬ ter and benevolence, he soon became well known to the early settlers of this county ; he took an active part in every public en¬ terprise, and aided in carrying out many valuable improvements ; he aided in build¬ ing churches and schools ; his house was called "The Preachers' Tavern," and the poor were ever kindly treated by him ; he had an abiding faith in the truths of Divine revelation ; Mr. O' Hair was a yaan of pos¬ itive character, intruded his opinions upon no one, and claimed the right of every man thinking for himself ; he read much, and was well posted on the political events as they passed, and, up to the commence¬ ment of his illness, studied the events of the times, political and moral, with deep interest; he was a kind and sympathizing neighbor and friend, ever ready to aid where help was needed, and never spared time or money to relieve the distressed ; as he him¬ self well said, in his letter read at the Old Settlers' meeting at Paris, 4th of July, 1873 : "I have always tried to do my duty, as I understand it ; £ to err is human ; ' if at any time I have failed to do my duty, it has been an error of the head, and not of the heart. And now, comrades, old set¬ tlers, I hope that our last days may be our best days ; that when we are summoned to go hence to give an account of the deeds done in the body, may we be fully prepared to meet the welcome plaudit, where we shall forever enjoy the society of each other, and forever be free from the cares of this world. ' Mr. O'Hair was a man of unswerving honesty, and faithfully dis¬ charged the responsibilities committed to his trust. He had a family of ten chil¬ dren, five of whom are now living - John W., William S. (who represented this coun¬ ty in the Legislature), Jesse, Daniel B. and Sibby N. (now Mrs. A. J. Baber, of Paris). Mr. O'Hair died March 16, 1875, and his remains are interred in " Edgar Cemetery," of Paris.

D. B. O'HAIR, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Paris ; is of Irish descent, his grandfather being a native of County Down, Ireland ; his father (now deceased), who was among the first settlers of Edgar Co., was born in Montgomery Co., Ky. ; " Daniel Boone," as he is frequently called by his friends, on account of his love of hunting, is a native of Edgar Co. ; he is now 39 years old ; is engaged in conducting the home farm of 395 acres, in which he has an in¬ terest ; has taken quite an interest in polit¬ ical affairs ; can relate many laughable incidents of early life in the woods. Was married Feb. 11, 1864, to Miss Susana Parsons, of Montgomery Co., Ohio ; they have two children - Jennie M. and Louie C.

STEPHEN OGDEN, farmer and stock dealer ; P. 0. Paris ; is another of the old pioneers of Edgar Co.; was born Jan. 22, 1818, in Morgan Co., Ky.; came from there to Edgar Co., at the age of 16 ; his father locating near where Mr. Ogden now lives ; is known as Maple Grove Farm. Was married Sept. 19, 1843, to Miss Emily H. Guthrie, of Ross Co., Ohio. She passed away May 14, 1861, leaving four children, three of whom are now living. Was married again, Oct. 20, 1867, to Mrs. Emma E. Griffith, of Vir¬ ginia. During his early life he had but little chance of acquiring an education, though he now has a good business educa¬ tion gained principally by his home study and business experience. Mr. Ogden dur¬ ing his life has been an active business man ; has accumulated all his fine property, but 260 acres given him by his father, by his own efforts, having a farm of 520 on Grand Prairie, and his home farm of 620 acres. He is a pioneer that is well known throughout the county ; has been, and is, a large stock dealer ; is always ready to help any enterprise for the public good, and can safely be called one of the repre¬ sentative men of the county.

WM. T. SIMS, farmer ; Sec. 32; P. O. Nevins ; is a native of Monroe Co., Ky.; was brought to Crawford Co., Ill., by his parents when he was about 1 year old, and to Edgar Co. when he was about 7 ; this being in 1821. Was married May 4, 1833, to Miss Margaret Zimmerly, of Washington Co., Va.; they have seven children, four boys and three girls. His opportunities of gaining an education dur¬ ing boyhood were very limited ; though by home study, being of quick preception he succeeded in securing a good education. He began business for himself at the age of 20, with some assistance from his father ; the assistance being forty acres of new land in the timber ; by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a farm of 275 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Sims is one of the old pioneers of the county ; has always contributed liberally to forward any enterprise tending to the public good ; now in his old age can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to accumulate a sufficient prop¬ erty for his own comfort and the benefit of his children.

MARGARET SIZEMORE, widow, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Paris ; Mrs. S. is the widow of M. Sizemore, who was one of the early settlers of Edgar Co. ; he was a native of Stokes Co., N. C. ; came to Edgar Co. in 1831. After residing in this county little over one year, he married Miss Margaret Priest, of Floyd Co., Ky. ; they had a fam¬ ily of ten children - seven girls and three boys ; at the time of beginning business for himself, he had no assistance from his father, but by hard work he accumulated a fine property, leaving at his death 363 acres of fine land, well improved, besides having given to his children the balance of his once large farm of 1,400 acres. He was one of the most public-spirited men of his day, always giving liberally to churches and schools, was a friend to the poor and needy, none coming to him in want, but what were helped bountifully ; at the time of his death, which occurred July 11, 1871, he had been a member of the M. E. Church about eighteen years ; he was wellknown in the county, and at his death mourned not only by his family but by a large circle of friends.

CHARLES M. SIZEMORE, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Paris; was born Jan. 25, 1848; is a na¬ tive of Edgar Co., Sims being his native township ; his father was a native of Stokes Co., N. C., and one of the early settlers of the county - a man of good standing, who was always willing and ready to do his part toward supporting any enterprise tending to the public good ; was a member of the M. E. Church about eighteen years ; he was a man noted for his generosity to the poor and needy, none coming to him in need ever going away without help ; he died in 1871, aged 62 years, leaving a fam¬ ily and a wide circle of friends to mourn his loss. Mr. S. was married Feb. 19, 1871, to Miss Caroline A. Hanks, she being also a native of Edgar Co. ; they have a family of two children - Denver M. and Ota. Mr. Sizemore now has 160 acres of good land, well improved, valued at about $65 per acre ; he is still a young man in good standing in the community and known as one among the straightfor¬ ward, honest young men of Sims Tp.

JESSE SWANGO, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Swango ; is a native of Morgan Co., Ky. ; was born Jan. 9, 1831 ; lived at his native place until 22 ^ears old, then came to Edgar Co. ; remained until 1854, then removed to Coles Co., where he remained until 1865, then returned to Edgar Co. ; in 1876, he moved to Paris, where he re¬ mained nearly two years, returning to his farm again in 1878 ; during his boyhood, he had only the advantage of subscription schools, and those not always attainable, though by home study he succeeded in getting a fair education. Was married Sept. 16, 1852, to Miss Nancy J. Hanks, of Edgar Co. ; they have a family of three children - Harlan A., Mary L. and Clar¬ ence W. He began business for himself at the age of 22 ; had some help from his father; now, by hard work, economy and good management, he has a nice farm of 280 acres of good land, well improved, and a nice residence in Paris. Mr. Swango has been a very enterprising, energetic man, who has done much toward improving the county ; has established a station and post office, which bears his name, a few rods from his residence, on the P. & D. R. R. ;. is known as one of the solid, substantial men of Sims Tp.

ALEX. TURNER, farmer and stock raiser, Sec. 14 ; P. O. Paris ; is a native of Tyrone Co., Ireland; was born March 18, 1803 ; lived there until the age of 28; emigrated to the United States in 1831 ; spent two years in New York City and in Giles Co., Va., and three years in Cincinnati ; then, in 1836, came to Edgar Co. ; learned the trade of brick and stone¬ mason while in Virginia ; followed this business while in Cincinnati, also first two years of his residence in Edgar Co. ; then began farming. Was married April 8, 1838, to Miss Nancy Link, of Virginia ; she died Sept. 12, 1876, leaving a family of eight children, six boys and two girls. Mr. Turner has by his own efforts accumu¬ lated a property of 270 acres of fine land, well improved, valued at about $70 per acre ; he is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co. ; has helped to make the change from a wild tract of land to a county that ranks high in the State of Illinois ; can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to accumulate property for his old age and his children.

DANIEL TUCKER, farmer, Sec. 2 1 P. 0. Swango ; is a native of Essex Co., N. J. ; was brought to Ohio by his parents at the age of ^ 4 ; lived there until he was 23 ; then removed to Shelby Co., Ind., where he lived until 1854; then came to Edgar Co. and located on his present farm. Was married June 27, 1830, to Miss Ann Hamlin, of Ontario Co., N. Y.; they have a family of six children, three boys and three girls. Began business for himself at the age of 23 ; had no assistance from his father, but by hard work and economy, he now has a fine property of 383 acres of good land, valued at about $50 per acre ; he is one of the old pioneers who has seen and helped make many of the changes in the develop¬ ment of the county ; he is now 72 years of age ; Mrs. Tucker is still active and smart ; they can look back with satisfaction upon their efforts to accumulate property for their old age and their children.

PETER F. VORHEES, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Swango ; is a native of Butler Co., Ohio ; was born Dec. 20, 1835 ; lived there until the age of 24 ; bought property in Edgar Co. in 1859, and settled in the county in 1860. Was married Dec. 20, 1860, to Miss Amanda Morris, of Edgar Co. ; they have a family of six children - John W., Kate, Rhoda, Jesse M., Daniel F. and Lizzie. Has gained, principally by his own efforts, a good common-school ed¬ ucation ; he has helped to improve Edgar Co., being one of the enterprising, energetic class of men needed in every county to de¬ velop its resources ; is an own cousin to the famous, U. S. Senator from Indiana; he now has 445 acres of first-class land, which he has accumulated principally by his own efforts ; one attribute to his success is adhering strictly to his theory of the cash system ; never bargains for anything without knowing he can meet the obligation with cash ; his land is well located in the timber and on the prairie, and valued at about $60 per acre.

Mr. Vorhees is still a young man, full of life and energy, and bids fair to do much yet toward improving the county of his adoption. Mr. Y. was never sued in his life, nor has he ever sued any person for debt; never has even been witness in a court of law.

O. Oliver ; is a native of Muskingum Co., Ohio ; lived at his native place until 16 years old, then came to Edgar Co. ; this was in 1 848 ; has since lived in the county, except four years spent in Benton Co., Ark. ; during his boyhood, he had no chance of getting an education. Was married Nov. 18, 1855, to Miss Amanda Dixon, of Ohio ; they have a family of seven children, four boys and three girls. Began business for himself at the age of 1 8 ; had no assistance from his father, but, by hard work and economy, he now has a property of eighty- five, acres of good land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Wilson has seen and helped to make many of the changes in the development of the county ; is well respected by many friends, and known as one of the honest, straight¬ forward men of Sims Tp.

D. W. WALLS, merchant, Swango ; is native of Edgar Co., Sims being his native township ; began business for himself at the age of 18, at farming ; this business he followed until he was 20, then engaged in the mercantile business at what is known as Swango. He is also Postmaster of the office of the above name. He ac¬ quired a fair education, principally by home study, which has enabled him to conduct his business in good shape, especially the more complicated affairs pertaining to the post office. His parents were natives of Ohio ; they came to Edgar Co. when the country was new ; were obliged to put up with many of the hardships incident to pioneer life. Mr. Walls was married Aug. 15, 1878, to Miss Elizabeth Hand, of Clark Co. He is still a young man, full of life, energy, and possessing good busi¬ ness qualities; has established a good name and reputation, and is known as one of the straightforward, honest young men of the county.

ents at the age of 3 ; during his boy¬ hood, he had very poor chances of getting an education, there being nothing but the subscription schools, and those sometimes three miles from his home. Was married April 12, 1855, to Miss Frances Shroder, of Coles Co., Ill. ; they have five children - Daniel W., Leander J., Elza E., Laura A. and Lemuel F. Began business for him¬ self at the age of 22, with some assistance from his parents ; by hard work, economy and good management, he now has 200 acres of fine land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Walls is a pioneer that has seen and helped to make many changes in the improvement of the county ; has a good name and reputation, which he has gained by being honest and straightforward in his dealings, and is known as one of the straightforward men of Sims Tp.

ABSALOM WELLS, farmer, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Paris ; is a native of Kentucky, his father being a native of Mary¬ land ; he was born March 7, 1802; lived at his birthplace until the age of 20, then moved to Edgar Co., Ill. ; he began business for himself when he was 21. Was married at 22, to Miss Elizabeth Starr, of North Carolina ; they have a family of nine - Katie (now deceased), Elsa A. (now Mrs. B. Davis), Sarah E. (deceased), Su¬ san (now Mrs. T. Thornton), Perlonzo C., Thomas P., Elizabeth (now Mrs. J. O. Perisho) and Samuel. During his early life, he had no chances of gaining an educa¬ tion ; began in business for himself with but little assistance, but by hard work and good management he has accumulated a property that has enabled him to give each one of his children eighty acres of good land and have 160 acres of good land and a good bank account left ; he is one of the old pioneers of the county and is known as one of the wealthy men of Sims Tp.

ISAAC ZIMMERLY, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Paris; is another old settler and pioneer of the county, and a native of Washington Co., Ya. ; was born Aug. 8, 1808 ; the 1 9th day of December, 1830, he left his native place on horse-back and ar¬ rived at Paris Jan. 12, 1831: has since been a resident of the county. W as mar¬ ried Sept. 8, 1831, to Miss Susan Zink, of Kentucky ; she passed away Dec. 5, 1873. Was married again Dec. 31, 1873, to Eliza Beatty, of Virginia. Mr. Zimmerly came to the county a poor boy ; now, by hard work, economy and good management, he has a farm of 280 acres, besides having given to each of his six children a farm of 120 acres and $400 in money; he is oneof the old pioneers that has been in the county forty-seven years ; has earned a good name and reputation by having been honorable in his business dealings, and is known as one of the better class of citizens and pioneers of the county.

THOMAS J. ADAMS, farmer, Sec. 30 ; P. O. Mays ; was born in Edgar Co., Ill., June 12, 1839 ; during his early life, the chances for an education were very few, compared to the present, but by home study, close observation and experience, has acquired a good business education. Was married May 31, 1857, to Miss Isa¬ bella E. Scroggs ; about this date they moved to Henry Co., Mo., his father going with him, he and his father living together one year ; then Mr. Adams started in bus¬ iness for himself, at farming, with no assistance from his father ; this he followed for two years, and then moved back to Edgar Co. ; here he has since lived, and by close economy and industry, has accu¬ mulated a fine property, owning a farm of 160 acres, valued at $75 per acre; he has a family of seven - Mary B., Geo. W., Jennette, Thomas W., Dora E., James B. aud Charles F. Mr. Adams has seen many of the changes take place from a wild prairie country to a thickly-settled and thriving county, being but now in the prime of life ; is known as y>ne among the better class of citizens of Edgar Co.

WILLIS BRINKERHOFF, farmer, P. O. Redmon ; was born Sept. 9, 1853; is a native of Edgar Co., Grand View being his native township ; lived there with his father until 1875; then came to his present residence. Was mar¬ ried Oct. 7, 1875, to Miss Araminta M. Hanna, of Edgar Co. Has a good commonschool education ; began business for him¬ self in 1875, at farming, which business he has since followed ; he is still a young man, full of life and ambition, stands well in the community, and bids fair to become one among the leading farmers of Edgar Co., being honest, intelligent and indus¬ trious.

M. V. BARR, farmer and grain-buyer; P. 0. Redmon ; is a native of Edgar Co. ; born in Grand View Tp. Aug. 16, 1846 ; during his early life he, with some assist¬ ance from his father, but mostly by his own efforts, accumulated enough money so that at the age of 17 he went to the State University at Bloomington, Ind., and took a regular college course ; here he improved his opportunities and acquired a good edu¬ cation, which he has many times seen the advantage of. Was married July 25, 1867, to Miss Sarah E. Bishop, of Franklin Co., Ind. ; they have five children - two boys and three girls. Mr. Barr began business for himself in Grand View Tp., at the age of 21, as a farmer during the summer, and at school-teaching during the winter months ; this business he followed for about seven years ; moved to Buck Tp. in 1871 ; taught two terms of school, and was then elected Tax Collector of Buck Tp., which position he held for two years ; was then elected Justice of the Peace, which office he has filled with credit to himself, and to the satisfaction of the community ; has always done his part toward forwarding any enterprise that he considered for the public good. He has 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Barr is still a young man, stands well in the community, and is known as one among the better and more prominent class of citizens of Edgar

CHARLES W. CURL, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Mays; was born May 2, 1845, in Union Co., Ohio; lived there until 10 years of age ; then came to Ed¬ gar Co. At the age of 17, he enlisted in Co. G, 70th I. V. I.; served his country four months, having enlisted for but three ; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Mr. Curl has a good education, having had the advantage of fine schools, and in educating his children goes upon the principle of go to school or go to work. Was married May 23, 1866, to Miss Mary E. Coughanowr, of Lebanon, Ohio ; has two children - Jerrie W. and Mabel H. He began business for himself at the age of 21, at farming ; had but little assistance from his father, but by energy, perseverance and good management, he now owns a farm of 1441 acres, valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Curl is still a young man, in the prime of life, owning by his own efforts a fine property and a nice home ; is already known as one among the better class and more prominent men of Edgar Co.

W. G. CULBERTSON, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mays Station ; was born in Kentucky Fleming Co., Aug. 22, 1817 ; lived there until the age of 10, with his parents ; at this early age, he began business for him¬ self; traveled over most of the States, and finally settled in Edgar Co. Was married in September, 1848, to Miss Nancy Ledg¬ er wood, of Sullivan Co., Ind., she being the mother of his present family of children ; she passed away in October, 1873 ; he has since married Miss Rachel Patton, of Paris, Ill. During his early life, the chances for an education were few ; never attended a school after he was 10 years old ; but by energy, perseverance and a firm will to succeed, he has acquired a good business education and a farm of 640 acres, valued at $80 per acre ; he is the oldest living pioneer of Buck Tp., commencing here without a dollar, and now has as fine a farm and farm residence as are in the county ; has a family of six children - William J., Daisy, Annie B., Edward, Florence and Samuel, all of whom are still living with their parents at home.

JOHN CRYDER, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 12 ; P. O. Redmon ; was born Feb. 24, 1834, in Franklin Co., Ohio ; lived there until 1861 ; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived; has a good education ; began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming ; has followed this since, with the exception of spending about two years at Ohio Peniten¬ tiary as a guard. Was married Feb. 4, 1857, to Miss Rebecca Cryder, of Frank¬ lin Co., Ohio ; she died Nov. 20, 1876, leaving a family of ten children - Adell, Levi, Mattie, Elizabeth, Martha, Henry,

James, Lillie, Minnie and John, all at present living with their father. Mr. Cryder began business for himself with no assistance from his father, but by hard work, economy and a firm determination to succeed, he has accumulated a property of 320 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., which he values at about $50 per acre; Mr. Cryder is known as one among the substantial men of the county, having done his share toward making Ed¬ gar rank one among the first counties of the State of Illinois.

FRANK COLWELL, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 35; P. 0. Paris; is a native Orange Co., N. Y. ; was born Oct. 17, 1833 ; lived at his birthplace until the age of 10, his parents then moving to Broome Co., N. Y. ; here he remained until he was about 24, then spent one year in Marion Co., Ohio, and then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in June, 1870, to Mrs. Sarah J. Trogdon, of Edgar Co. ; they have one boy - William H. He began business for himself at the age of 17 ; now has a farm of 644 acres of first-class land, valued at about $50 per acre. Mr. Colwell has been in the county about fifteen years ; though not one of the pioneers, he is already esteemed by many friends, and is known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co.

GEORGE M. CLINTON, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Paris ; is of English and Scotch descent ; was born in Kentucky Sept. 30, 1842, in Garrard Co. ; went with his parents, at the age of 5, to j Fannin Co., Texas; lived there about one and a half years; his father came to Edgar Co., and entered land on Section 36; this was in 1849; he acquired his education mostly by home study, hav¬ ing had but little opportunity of attending school until he was 20 years of age. Was married Dec. 17, 1861, to Miss Phebe S. Boyd, of Edgar Co., Ill. ; they have two children - Frankie B. and George B. Mr. Clinton began business for himself when 17, his father having died when he was 14 ; began at iarming ; followed this until 1863. Enlisted in 66th I. Y. I., Co. G; remained in the service until the close of the war ; received an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Followed farm¬ ing two years after close of the war ; then did a grocery business in Kansas, Edgar ,

Co. ; then followed plastering about five years in Paris; then, in 1878, located on his farm. He began a poor boy, and now, by honesty, industry and perseverance, has accumulated a good property, having a farm of eighty acres and considerable prop¬ erty in Paris, in all valued at about $10,000. He is still a young man, full of life and energy, and known as one among the solid men of the county.

URIAH COLLIER, farmer and stockraiser ; P. O. Conlogue ; is a native of Washington Co., Ind. ; is of Scotch and Irish ancestry ; was born Dec. 25, 1825 \ has a common-school education, which he gained principally by home study. Was married March 2, 1843, to Miss Matilda Hinds, of his native county. About this date, he began farming for himself, which business he has siuce followed ; he had no assistance in beginning business for him¬ self, but, by good management, hard work and economy, he has accumulated a fine property of 385 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Collier came to the county in an early day ; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild tract of country to a county ranking one among the best of Illinois; he is a pleasant, congenial man, full of life and activity, and known as one of the better class and more prominent cit¬ izens of Edgar Co.

DAVID B. FITTS, retired farmer ; P. O. Redmon ; now a resident of Redmon, Ill.; is of Scotch parentage ; was born March 27, 1821, in Springfield, Mass.; came to Ohio with his parents at the ago of 10; lived there until 1854; then came to Clark Co., Ill.; lived there about nine years, and then came to Edgar, where he has since lived. Was married Nov. 11, 1846, to Miss Rebecca L. Gib¬ son, of Pennsylvania ; she dying Sept. 2, 1858 ; has three children living by this marriage ; was married again April 4, 1859, to Mrs. C. Horton, of Edgar Co. ; she having come to this county in 1829 ; being among the oldest pioneers of the county. Mr. Fitts has a good education, having had the advantages of attending the free schools of Connecticut. He began business for himself at the age of 21 ; going into partnership with his father in manufacture of woolen goods, in Trum¬ bull Co., Ohio ; followed this business for about twelve years ; then began bis life as a farmer; Mrs. Fitts at the time of their marriage having a farm of 300 acres, par¬ tially improved ; Mr. Fitts has since added to it, now they have a farm of 350 acres, valued at $60 per acre ; has also a good property in the town of Redmon. Mr. Fitts is one of the substantial men of the county and known as one among the better class of citizens.

H. B. GRISWOLD, farmer and stockraiser; Sec. 10; P. O. Dudley; the subject of this sketch is a native of Litchfield Co., Conn. ; his ancestors were among the first settlers of that State ; he served an apprenticeship at shoemaking while quite young, finishing the trade at 19 ; during the time of learning his trade, he gained most of his education by home study ; by close observation and experi¬ ence he has a good practical education ; followed his trade until 1851 ; then made farming his principal business, which he has since followed ; he has made several trips back and forth from his native place to Illinois. In 1840, he rode, on horse¬ back, from Grand View, Edgar Co., to Litchfield, Conn., a distance of about one thousand and forty miles, making the journey in twenty-six days ; he began life for himself with no assistance from his father ; located permanently in Edgar Co. in 1838, being one of the old pioneers ; he has seen and helped to make many of the changes from a wild prairie to a thickly- settled and thriving county ; has 320 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Gris¬ wold is now 65 years old, pleasant, con¬ genial, full of life and activity; is es¬ teemed by his neighbors and acquaint¬ ances and known as one of the solid, sub¬ stantial men of Edgar Co.

WM. S. HEAZELTINE, farmer and stock-raiser ; P. O. Paris ; was born Feb. 16, 1819, in Hamilton Co., Ohio; lived at his birthplace until 13 years of age, his parents moving to Butler Co., Ohio ; lived there until 1869; then came to Edgar Co., Ill., where he has since lived ; at the age of 16, he was unfortunate enough to receive quite a serious cut on the arm, causing lock-jaw for six weeks; this dis¬ abled him so much for work that his father allowed him to attend school for five months ; this being about the only oppor-

| tunity he had of getting any education ; he began business for himself at the age of 21 with no assistance from his father. Was married Feb. 18, 1840, to Miss Lydia Williams, of Butler Co., Ohio; they have three children - John S., Martha A. (now Mrs. S. Lycan), and Amanda J. Mr. Heazeltine is one of the self-made, sub¬ stantial men of the county, owning now 240 acres of fine land, valued at about $75 per acre ; has also given his son eighty acres of about same quality ; has been an industrious and enterprising man, and now can look back with satisfaction upon his efforts to accumulate a sufficient property for his old age.

JACOB HENN, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Redmon ; is a na¬ tive of Byron, Germany ; came to the United States in 1851 ; lived in Stark Co., Ohio, for two years; removed to Clark Co., Ill., where he remained three years, working at his trade of blacksmithing ; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived. Was married in Massillon, Ohio, in 1853, to Miss Barbara Gipe, of his native place ; two boys dead, six liv¬ ing - John H., Philip, William, Ja¬ cob, Louis A. and Charlie. He had no opportunities of getting an education, but by observation and experience, he has be¬ come thoroughly posted in all transactions of business, doing the largest blooded-stock business in Edgar Co.; began business for himself a poor boy, and by hard work and good management he has become one of the most prominent stock dealers of the county. Has 400 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at $75 per acre.

JOHN HENN, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. O. Redmon; was born March 12, 1833, in Byron, Germany ; lived there until 18 years old ; came to Stark Co., Ohio ; lived there about four years ; then moved to Ed¬ gar Co., Ill., where he has since lived ; has a fair education. Was married March 12, 1860, to Mrs. C. Murphy, of Edgar Co.; they have a family of five children - Mary E., Susan C., William H., Elizabeth S. and Ida. Mr. Henn began life a poor boy, but by honesty, perseverance and economy has accumulated a property of 100 acres, valued at $55 per acre; he is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co., hav¬ ing settled there when the country was new, and was obliged to endure the hardships in-

'JACOB HINDS, farmer and stock¬ breeder, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Dudley ; was born ir. Washington Co., Ind., March 30, 1828 ; lived there until he was 21 ; has a good common-school education. Was married Feb. 19, 1850, to Miss Susan Markland, of his native county ; they have a family of six children, four boys aud two girls. Mr. Hinds has now in Douglas Co. 206 acres aud in Edgar Co. 275 acres of land, valued at about $50 per acre ; he came to Edgar Co. when the country was new ; was obliged to pass through the troubles and trials incident to pioneer life ; at the time of his settling at his present home, he was almost alone on what is called Grand Prairie ; was obliged to pen his sheep at night to keep them from the wolves ; he has remained upon his old farm, and by industry, economy and good man¬ agement, has a fine property and a nice home, esteemed by neighbors and friends, and known as one of the solid, substantial men of Edgar Co.

JOHN JUMP, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 15; P. O. Redmon ; is of English ancestry, his great-grandfather coming from England, and settled in Maryland, his father being a native of that State, also; Mr. J. is a native of Marion Co., Ohio; was born March 16, 1835; came to Edgar Co. in 1852. Was married March 8, 1860, to Miss P. A. Morris, of Rush Co., Ind. ; they have two children - Susan E. and Willie E. His chances of getting an education were very poor, but, by home study and good observation, he has a fair education. During his residence in Buck Tp., he has been elected to the office of Township Collector for several terms. He began business for himself at farming at the age of 21 ; has since followed this business; had no material assistance from his father, but, by hard work, economy and good management, he now has a farm of 120 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Jump is a pleas¬ ant, congenial gentleman, well respected by many friends, and known as one among the better class of citizens of Edgar Co.

place to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1860 ; during his early life, he had no chances for getting an education ; at the age of 21, he began business for himself as a farmer ; followed this business in Ohio for nineteen years, and then came to Edgar Co., Ill., and purchased his present farm. Was married in October, 1843, to Miss Mary Efford, of Hocking Co., Ohio ; she died March, 1848, leaving three children ; in 1850, he married Miss Caroline Judy, of Hocking Co., Ohio, by whom he has nine children, his family now consisting of Samuel, George, Mary, John, Susan, William, Simon, Isabella, Jacob, Bruce, Edward, Sarah and Annie. When Mr. Lindsay came to Edgar Co., the greater portion of the county was wild land ; but he and the rest of the pioneers, have made the county one among the first of the State of Illinois ; by close economy and hard work, he now owns eighty acres of tine land, valued at about $75 per acre. He is now known as one among the steady, straightforward men of the county, ,

W. B. LILLEY, farmer ; P. 6. Red¬ mon ; is a native of Virginia, as were also his ancestors for several generations before him, being originally from England and Ireland ; was born March 13, 1806, in Augusta Co. ; lived in Virginia until 1826, then came to Ohio ; lived there until 1863, then came to Edgar Co., having en¬ tered the east half of Section 14 in 1852 ; though not a regular resident of the county until the last fifteen years, he still may be called one of the early settlers ; during his life-time, has traveled over almost every State in the Union. Has taken quite an active part in political affairs, and has always been very much opposed to the liquor traffic. Was married May 15, 1838, to Julia E. Graham, of Wayne Co., Ohio, she dying Oct. 19, 1865, leaving seven children, four boys and three girls. Began business for himself at the age of 20, at farming ; had no material assistance from his father, but, by his own efforts, he has accumulated a property of 160 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about $65 per acre. Mr. Lilley is now 72 years old ; has passed a life full of stirring events ; can look back upon his efforts to secure a fair share of property, with satisfac¬ tion, knowing that he has a competency to last his life-time ; he is now known as one of the solid, substantial men of Buck Tp.

WILLIAM M. MAYS, farmer and stock-grower ; P. 0. Mays ; was born Feb. 19, 1825, in Carroll Co., Ohio ; lived there until the age of 15 ; was brought to Ed¬ gar Co., 111., by his parents in 1839, where he has since lived ; he received a fair com¬ mon-school education, and by close obser¬ vation and experience is capable of transact¬ ing all business pertaining to farming, stock-raising, etc. He began business for himself at 22 years of age, as a bricklayer and plasterer ; followed this business about ten years, and then began farming. Was married in February, 1848, to Miss Cath¬ arine A. Henderson, of Washington, 1). C. ; they have a family of nine - John H., Samuel B., Thomas J., James R., William H., Charles E., Mary C., Martha E. and Alice J. Mr. Mays began life with no assistance from his father, but, with a stout heart and willing hands, coupled with econ- ' omy and perseverance, he has accumulated a property of 280 acres of as fine land as there is in Edgar Co., valued at $80 per acre ; he is one of the old pioneers that has seen and helped make the change from a wild prairie country to a county that is | ranked one among the first of the State of Illinois, and is known himself as one among the wealthy and better class of cit- I izens of the county.

EMANUEL MEYERS, farmer and stock dealer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Redmon ; is a native of Lancaster Co., Penn. ; was born Sept. 18, 1826 ; lived at his birthplace j until he was 18 ; came to Indiana and stayed two years ; went back to Pennsyl¬ vania and remained one year, and then came and located permanently in Edgar Co. Was married Dec. 11, 1852, to Miss Mary Heisay, of Dauphin Co., Penn. ; they have a family of eight children - four boys and four girls ; has a good commonschool education ; began business for him- j self when he was 18 ; commenced work on a farm at $4 per month ; now has a prop¬ erty of 455 acres of first-class land, well improved, and fine buildings; land is valued at about $75 per acre. Mr. Meyers, has seen and helped to make the improve¬ ments in the county ; is well respected and known as one of the more prominent class of farmers in Edgar Co.

Madison Co., Ky., came to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1833 ; was one of the old pioneers of the county ; did much to improve it ; at one time, he owned and cultivated several farms. Was married Dec. 11, 1827, to Miss Louisa Bragg, of Virginia. ; they had seven children - two boys and five girls. Mr. Pitcher was a man of energy and perseverance, at the time of his death leaving 201 acres of first-class land, well improved. Mrs. Pitcher is now 72 years old, a very active and pleasant lady ; she can look back with satisfaction upon her efforts to provide for old age and to bring up her family honorably and honest.

JOHN J. PERISHO, farmer and stockraiser, Sec. 11; P. 0. Conlogue; is of French ancestry, his father having been kidnapped from France by some fisher¬ men, while quite young, and brought to North Carolina ; he was born in Washing¬ ton Co., Ind., Nov. 18, ' 1822 ; was brought to Edgar Co. by his parents when he was 3 years old ; during his early life, he had very little chance of attending school, but by home study he acquired a fair education. Was married April 24, 1855, to Miss Barbara A. Ratts, of Wash¬ ington Co., Ind. ; they have five children - four boys and one girl. He began busi¬ ness for himself at the age of 16, at farm¬ ing ; has since followed this business ; he began with no assistance financially, but by hard work, economy and good manage¬ ment, he now has a farm of 400 acres, and 96 acres of timber, the whole valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Perisho is one of the old pioneers of the county, having been obliged while yet a boy to endure many of the hardships incident to pioneer life ; is esteemed by many friends, and known as one among the wealthy and better class of citizens of Edgar Co.

JOHN P. PERISHO, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Dudley ; is of French ancestry, his grandfather having been kidnapped from his home in France by some fishermen, who brought him to North Carolina ; his father is a native of Washington Co., Ind. ; the subject of this sketch is a native of Edgar Co., Ill. Was married Feb. 19, 1878, to Miss Martha Morris, she being also a native of Edgar Co. ; they have one child - Dessie E. Mr. Perisho received a good education ; in the spring of 1878, was elected Treasurer of the Board of Township Commissioners of Buck Township, his time expiring in 1881 ; he has a farm of 375 acres of fine lifnd, well improved, finely watered, and good timber, valued at about $75 per acre. H e is still a young man, pleasant, congen¬ ial, full of life and energy, and is already known as one among the substantial men of Edgar Co.

JOHN RHOADS, farmer and Town¬ ship Supervisor ; P. 0. Redmon ; is a native of Edgar Co., Ill.; was born March 13, 1828, in Sims Tp. ; lived there until April 2, 1863 ; then bought his present farm on Sec. 14, where he has since lived ; during his early life, his chances for get¬ ting an education were very poor, but by home study and perseverance he acquired a good common-school education. Was married April 13, 1851, to Miss Sydney Walls, of Pike Co., Ohio ; they have eight children - three boys and five girls. Mr. Rhoads began business for himself at the age of 21 ; his father- gave him forty acres of wild land ; by his own energy and industry he now owns seventy-seven acres of good land, well improved, valued at about §60 per acre ; Mr. Rhoads is one of the old pioneers of the county, being a native of it ; being now 50 years of age, can relate many of the hardships endured by himself incident to pioneer life; he is well known in the county, and esteemed by many warm friends, and can safely be classed as one of the pioneers of Edgar Co.

W. H. RUDY, farmer and stock-breeder, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Conlogue ; is a native of Jeflerson Co., Ky.; was born July 8, 1824; lived therewith his parents until the age of 6, his father moving to Edgar Co. in 1830; during his early life, Edgar Co. had very poor schools ; the distance be¬ ing so far that he could not at all times attend, so was obliged to acquire most of his education by home study. Was mar¬ ried Nov. 17, 1853, to Miss Julia Lodge, ot Zanesville, Ohio ; they have a family of six children, four boys and tyro girls. Mr. Rudy started in business for himself with no material assistance ; he now has a farm of 220 acres of first-class land, well improved, valued at about 875 per acre. He is one of the old pioneers of the county, having been obliged to put up with mauy of the trials and troubles incident to pio¬ neer life ; he stands well in the community,

NEWTON STEWART, farmer and stock-raiser, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Paris ; was born Nov. 11, 1833, in Ross Co., Ohio ; was brought to Edgar Co. in 1838, where he has since lived ; during his early life, he acquired but little education, but later in life has gained, by observation and ex¬ perience, what he neglected during boy¬ hood ; he began business for himself at the age of 21. Was married Nov. 6, 1856, to Miss Arinina Rhoads ; they have nine children - Egbert, Florence B., Ma¬ riam C., William, Albert, Luella, Edg;.., Minnie M. and Walter. At the time of beginning life for himself, Mr. Stewart had no help from his father, but began a poor boy on the open prairie, and by hard work, economy and good management he now owns a farm of 570 acres of fine, land, valued at about §50 per acre. Mr. Stew¬ art is one among the early pioneers of Ed¬ gar Co.; has seen many of the changes take place from a wild prairie country to a thickly-settled county ; now, at the prime of life, he is known as one among the wealthy and better class of citizens of the county.

ADAM STEWART, farmer and stockraiser. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Paris ; was born Dec. 19, 1828, in Ross Co., Ohio; was brought to Edgar Co., Ill., in 1838, by his parents ; his opportunities of gaining an education were very meager, but by per¬ severance he acquired a good commonschool education ; he began business for himself at farming- at the age of 22. Was married January 21, 1853, to Miss Rebecca E. Oweo, of Edgar Co.; she died May 24, 1873, leaving his present family of four children ; he married again April 21, 1875, to Miss Mary A. Lewman, of Vermilion Co., Ill., she dying Jan. 20, 1876; the names of his children are Demarious, Mary 0. (now Mrs. Gr. North), Cyrus and Martha. At the time of beginning busi¬ ness for himself, Mr. Stewart had no ma¬ terial assistance financially from his father, but, by hard work, close economy and per¬ severance, coupled with a firm will to suc¬ ceed under difficulties, he now owns a farm of 1171 acres, valued at §50 per acre. Mr. Stewart is one of the old pioneers of Edgar Co., having put up with the hardships of a pioneer life ; has seen and helped to make the change from a wild prairie country to one among the finest counties of the State of Illinois ; he is known in the com¬ munity as one among the better class of farm¬ ers and more prominent men of the county.

J. P. SNYDER, farmer and stock dealer ; P. 0. Conlogue ; is another of the natives of Edgar Co., Buck being his native township; is the son of Wm. M. and Susan E. Snyder, who were old pio¬ neers of the county, having been residents of it for nearly forty years ; he was born April 20, 1850. He was married Oct. 16, 1873, to Miss Mollie A. Brundige, also of Edgar Co., Paris being her native township ; they have one child - Frank. Mr. Snyder is now conducting the old home farm of 220 acres ; he is still a young man, in good standing in the community; has a good name and reputation which he has earned by having been honorable and honest in his business transactions, and is already known as one of the straightforward, honest men of Buck Tp.

JNO. A. SIMS, farmer and stock-raiser; Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Paris ; is of Scotch descent : was born in Edgar Co., Sept. 16, 1834 : his parents both dying when he was quite young, he spent most of his time until he was 16 years old traveling through differ¬ ent States; located permanently in his native county at this age. Was married Oct. 18, 1855, to Miss Rachel Stewart, of Edgar Co.; they have eight children - six boys and two girls. Began business for himself at the age of 21 ; had but little assistance from the home estate, but by hard work, economy and good manage¬ ment he now has a farm of 240 acres of well-improved land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Sims is a pioneer whose standing is first-class in the community, and known as one among the better and more prominent class of pioneers of Edgar Co.

WM. WALLER, farmer and stock-rais¬ er ; P. 0. Dudley ; is a native of Bavaria, Germany ; was born May 27, 1822 ; came to the United States in 1846, leaving Antwerp for Galveston, Tex., making the journey in sixtv-three days ; was there about four months and then went into Gen. Scott's command in the Mexican war ; was gone about eight months and then went to Cin¬ cinnati ; worked there two years in a cotton factory; left there in 1849 and went to Hamilton, Ohio, where he followed carpet¬ weaving until 1857 ; went to Middletown ; stayed until 1863 ; then came to Edgar Co., where he has since lived ; has a good edu¬ cation. Was married Jan. 18, 1848, to Miss Margaret Grimm, of Germany ; they have nine children - five boys and four girls. Had no assistance from his parents, but by hard work, economy and good management he now has a fine farm of 675 acres of first-class land, valued at about $60 per acre. Mr. Waller is a pleasant, congenial gentleman and known as one among the wealthy and more prominent men of Edgar Co.

SAMUEL H. WELLS, Township Commissioner and farmer; P. 0. Paris; was born Nov. 29, 1841 in Edgar Co., Ill., his birthplace being Paris Tp. ; began business for himself in 1862 as a farmer; followed this for two years, and then enlisted in Co. E. 12th I. V. I.; remained in the service until the close of the war, receiv¬ ing an honorable discharge from the proper authority. Was married March 6, 1870, to Miss Sallie Elledge, of Edgar Co., Ill. ; in 1873, he moved to Sec. 29, Buck Tp., where, by pluck and perseverance, he now owns 120 acres of fine laud, valued at about $9,000. They have two children - Miss Martha B. and Mary B., both of whom are still quite young.

H. H. ADAMS (of firm H. H. Adams & Bro.), merchant, Scotland ; he was born in Venango Co., Penn., Feb. 15, 1841 ; he moved with his father's family to Ohio in 1852, where they remained two years ; thence to this county in 1854, and located in Edgar Tp. ; he was engaged in farming until 1864, at which date he engaged in milling for two years ; then moved to Champaign Co., where he farmed for two years ; then returned to Edgar Co., locating in Logan, and engaged in mercan- tile pursuits for eight years with his brother ; at the expiration of said term, he moved to this town, opening business in 1875, and, in the spring of 1876, he alid his brother consolidated their business a* this place, where H. H. has resided ever since. Married Lydia J. Osborn, 1863; she was born in Ohio Oct. 18, 1844 ; came to this county with her parents in the fall of 1853; have five children living, viz., Charles P., Lillie A., Laura A., James S. and William.

1. N. ARCHBOLD, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Ridge Farm ; owns 240 acres, value §30 per acre. Born in Woodsfield, Mon¬ roe Co., Ohio, in July, 1833. Married Elizabeth Clark Feb. 19, 1860 ; she was born in Salem Tp., Monroe Co., Ohio, in 1833 ; they moved to Edgar Co. July 4, 1860; they have two children - Charles Clark and Gertrude N. Mr. Archbold enlisted in the war of the late rebellion October, 1864, and served seven months, at which time he was discharged on account of sickness ; was in the 8th I. V. I.

PATRICK BREEN, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. O. Scotland ; owns 266 acres, value 825 per acre. Was born in County Tip¬ perary, Ireland, March 17, 1829 ; when about 18 years of age, he left Ireland for Liverpool, England, with the intention of sailing to the United States ; accordingly, he took shipping from said city in a sailing ship to New Orleans, and about nine weeks of passage brought them safe to their des¬ tination ; he did not remain there long, but pushed northward until he reached Cincin¬ nati, Ohio, where he stopped a few months, then moved to Gallatin Co., Ky., and re¬ mained there about nine months ; thence to Owen Co., where he found the one of his choice ; May 5, 1851, they went to Louisville, where their marriage was cele¬ brated ; her name was Mary Gill ; she was born in County Meath, Ireland, March 1, 1835, and emigrated to the United States with her parents in 1850 ; after they were married, they moved to Dayton, Ohio, staying only eleven months; then returned to Owen Co., Ky., and stayed a short time, | when they set out for Illinois, and January, 1855, they arrived in Edgar Co., and both Mr. and Mrs. Breen went to work on their arrival for J. B. Burrass, in Ross Tp. ; there they worked nine months, then be¬ gan work for Wm. Adams, where they worked six months; then to M. Chrisman, and worked for him ten years; at the expiration of said term, he began work for Charles Caraway, where he remained five years ; then returned to M. Chrisman again, and worked for him three years; then he rented the farm of S. B. Smith (deceased), and remained there four years, and one year before his lease expired (which was 1874) he purchased 186 acres of the farm which he now owns, and, one year later, he bought 80 acres more ; it was without any improvements what¬ ever, until he built a good residence, which he moved into March, 1875 ; it is now a good farm and pleasant home. They have thirteen children living, viz. : Mary, born Jan. 1, 1855; Edward, Feb. 18, 1857; Cornelius, Feb. 28, 1858; Hannah, Oct. 9, 1859 ; Matthew, Feb. 5, 1861 ; Pat¬ rick, Dec. 11, 1862; Margaret, May 22, 1864; Michael, March 31, 1866; Cathe¬ rine and Elizabeth, twins, Nov. 19, 1867 ; Ellen and Eva. twins, June 19, 1870; Jennie, Sept. 16,1872; they have eight children deceased, all of whom died in in¬ fancy ; of these, there was one pair twins.

JAMES BONWELL, farmer ; P. O. Scotland ; was born June 3, 1819 ; is a native of Brown Co., Ohio ; lived at his native place until the age of 3 years ; his parents then moved to Kentucky, where they remained until 1832 ; then came to Edgar Co. ; Mr. Bonwell remained here about two years, and then moved to Indi¬ ana, where he lived nearly ten years ; then returned to Edgar Co., and located on the farm where he now lives ; during his early life, he had no chance of getting an edu¬ cation, his parents being poor, and he, the oldest of a family of seven children, was required to work a great part of the time, but, by studying nights by the fire, he be¬ came a fair scholar ; he began business for himself at the age of 17 ; had no help from his people ; now, by his own hard work and economy, he has 140 acres of good land, well improved ; this he has earned by his own honesty and industry.

A. BURSON, railroad agent, Postmas¬ ter and druggist, Scotland ; he was born in Union Co., Ohio, March 10, 1834; came to Illinois with his father's family in 1836 ; the family consisted of father (Silas Burson), mother (Charity Bird) and nine children. They located in Coles Co., a little north of where the town of Oakland is located; early as 1836, the village was known as Pinhook. Mr. Burson was salesman in the mercantile house of G. W. Ashmore for a period of seven years ; at the expiration of said term, he engaged in mercantile business for himself for two years ; then engaged in farming for some time, and, in 1861, he sold his farm in Coles Co. and moved to Vermilion, Edgar Co. , where he engaged in the milling and also mercantile business, which he followed for about ten years, then he took contract of furnishing ties for the I. & I. C. R. R. (now I. D. & S. R. R.), at the same time run¬ ning a supply store for the railroad hands at this point. As will be seen in the general history, he built the first house in this village while the railroad was being built, in fall of 1872 ; soon as the railroad was completed, he was appointed freight and ticket agent, also agent of the American Express Co. ; was appointed Postmaster in 1873 ; all of the above offices he holds at the present time ; and in the fall of this year, he engaged in the drug business. Married Margaret S. Hicks Aug. 18, 1855 ; she was born in Indiana Feb. 23, 1836 ; the children liv¬ ing are Arthur L., Marietta, Maggie B., Edward E., Gertrude and Perley ; the deceased are Susan, Alanson G., Maudie, who died in childhood.

DAVID W. COLLINS, farmer ; P. 0. Scotland ; is a native of Highland Co., Ohio; was born Dec. 10, 1824; at the age of 9, his parents moved to Edgar Co. and settled in Brouillett Tp. ; two years after their settlement in the county, his father died, leaving the care of the family on his mother and himself ; he being then 1 1 years ; he, to help his mother, worked three months for a neighbor for fifty bushels of corn ; the next season follow¬ ing this, he got seventy-five bushels for the same amount of work ; corn beiug worth 10c. per bushel. When he was near 20 years old, he began learning the trade of a blacksmith with Jason Jones ;

, this he learned and followed as a business until 1868, with the exception of one year spent in California in 1850; in 1868, he began farming, which he has since fol¬ lowed ; during his early life, he secured by his own effort, principally, a good common-school education. He began busj iness for himself a poor boy ; now, by his own hard work and economy, he has a nice farm of 166 acres of good land, well improved. He is a man standing well in the community ; has a good name and reputation which he has earned by honesty and industry.

ALEXANDER CLARK, farmer and stock -raiser ; P. 0. Scotland ; owns 600 acres, valued at $37 per acre ; he was born in Oldham Co., Ky., July 1, 1818, and came to this county with his father's fam¬ ily in the fall of 1832 ; they located about half a mile south of Mr. C.'s present resi¬ dence, where they bought some improve¬ ments of one L. Jackson, who had been here some time. Married Nancy New¬ comb ; she came here with her parents at a very early date ; they have four children living, viz., William, Edmond, Nancy A. and Christna. Mr. Clark was elected Jus¬ tice of the Peace in 1856, and held said office eight years in succession.

EDMOND CLARK, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Scotland ; owns an undivided inter¬ est in his father's estate ; was born March 27, 1849, in this (Prairie) township ; has been engaged in farming and live¬ stock dealing till of late, when he turned his attention solely to the care and improvement of the farm. Married Sarah J. Scott (daughter of John Scott) July 28, 1870; she was born in this township May, 1852 ; the children are Oda, Owen and Cora ; one deceased, Oma.

EBENEZER GILBERT, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Ridge Farm ; owns 280 acres, valued at $30 per acre, and twenty-six acres timber land, valued $10 per acre ; he was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Jan. 6, 1825 ; his parents moved to Clay Co., Ind., in 1830 ; there he resided until he was 21 years of age. Then he enlisted in the service during the Mexican war and was mustered into service June, 1846, at New Albany, Ind., 2nd Ind. V. I., under j Capt. Osborn, Col. Bolles, of Gen. Taylor's j command ; he was in the battle at Buena Vista ; at said engagement, his brother Charles D., was severely wounded in both legs, and but for the timely aid of Eben- [ ezer, catching and assisting him on a horse, the Mexican soldiers would have taken Charles prisoner ; Mr. G. served till June, at New Orleans ; then returned to his j father's, in Clay Co., Ind. Married Lydia Walker, April 22, 1849 ; she was ] bprn in Clay Co., Ind., Jan. 19, 1830 ; they moved to this county in February, 1853 ; but he had been here in the fall of 1852, at which date he entered 160 acres with a land warrant which he bought of a soldier of the Mexican war, having used the warrant in Indiana which he received for his own services in said war. He en¬ listed in the war of the late rebellion March 8, 1865, in Co. A, 7th I. V. C., and served until November of the same year; the children are Elmira (now Mrs. John Wyatt), Martha J. (deceased), William A., Jedediah, Mary (now Mrs. Almon Boomer), James (deceased), Franklin and Francis W. In the war record of the fam¬ ily, it is worthy of notice that both his grandfathers were soldiers in the Revolu¬ tion, and his father was a soldier in the war o t 1812.

MANOAH JENNINGS, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Scotland ; is a native of Brown Co., Ohio ; was born Oct. 7, 1805 ; lived at his native place until 26 years old, then came to Vermilion Co., Ill., where he re- ; mained about four years ; removed and lo¬ cated in Edgar Co. in 1835. He married Miss Elizabeth Roney, of his native coun¬ ty ; they have a famil}7 of four children living - one girl and three boys. He be¬ gan business a poor man ; now, by his own hard work, he has 470 acres of land, well improved ; he is known as one of the solid, substantial men of Prairie Tp. and is a member of the M. E. Church.

O. Scotland ; is a native of Brown Co., Ohio; was born July 31, 1813 ; lived at his native place until nearly 21 ; then came to Edgar Co., looking for land ; stopped about one year in Indiana, and located permanently in Edgar Co. in 1834. Was married May 8, 1833, to Miss Ellen

P. Watson ; she died Aug. 19, 1870, leaving a family of five children. He married again Sept. 20, 1874, to Mrs. M. McAdo, of Brown Co., Ohio. During his early life, he got a fair education, and be¬ gan business for himself at the age of 21 ; now, by hard work and good management, he has 180 acres of good laud, well im¬ proved ; he is an old settler in the county, and one that has done his part toward

ABRAHAM LUNGER, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Chrisman ; owns 1 30 acres, valued at $40 per acre ; he was born near Elizabeth¬ town, Ohio, March 18, 1825 ; when about 3 years of age, his parents moved with their family of five children to Fountain Co., Ind. ; some twelve or fifteen years later they removed from Fountain Co. to Parke Co., Ind. ; when about 20 years of age, he went to Vermilion Co., Ind., where he engaged to work on a farm, and shortly after his arrival in Vermilion, married Mary Richie Jan. 4, 1844; she was born in said county June 19, 1823 ; after mar¬ riage they removed to Parke Co., Ind., where they remained seven years ; thence to this (Edgar) Co., in 1851, and located about two miles south of his present resi¬ dence ; and, on April 6, 1865, they located where he now lives ; like many of the pioneers of the West, Mr. Lunger's financial circumstances were quite limited, but by industry, economy and hard work of himself and frugal wife, they, accumu¬ lated considerable of this world's goods, making a comfortable home ; Mrs. Lunger was not spared to enjoy the fruits of her toil to an advanced age ; she died here July 15, 1877 ; they had nine children, four now living : Peter, died March 4, 1878; Joseph; Alonzo, died July 4, 1865; John and William, both died in. childhood ; Abraham, Jr., Margaret, Mary L. (deceased) and Maria. Joseph was a soldier in the late war ; he enlisted in an Indiana regiment.

JOHN M. LEGATE, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Scotland ; owns 225 acres, valued at $40 per acre ; he was born in Brown Co., Ohio, Oct. 14, 1819 ; when Mr. L. was about 3 years old, his father died, leaving two children - himself and sister Elizabeth ; a few years later, his mother married second husband - Israel D. Sayre ; they all moved to Illinois in the spring of 1830, locating in what is now Edgar Tp., March 21, of the same year, and bought the im¬ provements of John Welch, including a small log cabin; Mr. Legate worked on the farm with his stepfather, I. D. Sayre, until he was about 22 years of age. Then married Susan Clark March 10, 1842 ; then he purchased a farm of 160 acres near Bloomfield; sold there and, Dec. 27, 1851, he located where he now lives. Mrs. Legate was born Aug. 27, 1828, in Oldham -Co., Kv., and came here with her father's family in the fall of 1831. Mr. Legate's children are Israel D., Edmond C., Nancy (now Mrs. Lunger), Catharine (now Mrs. McFarren, of Kansas), Malinda, Francis M., William H., Laura E., Sarah and two deceased - Mary and Alex. E. Mr. Legate's grandfather, Legate, served in the Revolution as Captain under Gen. Marion. Mr. Legate recollects well when the store of M. K. Alexander was the only store in Paris ; it* was a log building about sixteen feet square ; a log house for the hotel, and one blacksmith-shop ; the above-named structures constituted the business part of the town of Paris. Mr. Legate's stepfather, I. D. Sayre, was an Orderly Sergeant of State militia during the Black Hawk war, and at the outbreak of said war young Legate was detailed to notify the citizens in this vicinity, of the . draft.

DAVID LIGHT, retired farmer ; P. Scotland; he was born in Clermont Co., Ohio, Sept. 5, 1800 ; his parents were natives of Pennsylvania, but moved to Ohio, and were amongst the early pioneers of the Buckeye State, locating above Cin¬ cinnati about 1792 ; shortly after their ar¬ rival there, his father Jacob, another man and an old lady were in a boat paddling up the Ohio near the shore, and one of the -party, a young man walking on the bank, were surprised by a band of Indians, who came swooping down on them, captured the youth and shot at the party in the boat, one shot taking effect in Jacob Light's left shoulder, which disabled his arm for life, but his friend received a shot in the breast which proved fatal, and soon as he reeled from the boat the savages dashed upon him to secure his scalp, which was then an easy prey. At this juncture, Mr. Light jumped into the river with a view to swimming to the Kentucky shore, but feeling his strength failing from the effects of the wound, he concluded to return whence he came, and meet death at the hands of the savages ; but when he reached the shore, the Indians had gone, taking captive the youth. The old lady, having concealed herself in the water's edge, was left unmolested ; as they were so near Fort Cincinnati the savages were afraid of being pursued, and made haste to escape. Soon as possible the old lady made her way to the Fort and raised the alarm, when several came in pursuit and found Mr. Light lying near the location of the scene totally ex¬ hausted, and the body of his friend still in death. The youth spoken of in this narrative was marched across the country and sold by rhe Indians to French traders near Detroit, and two years later made his way back to his home and friends. Mr. David Light's parents, with -their family of eleven children, bore dangers and priva¬ tions on the Ohio frontier too numerous and great to be justly described here. The subject of this sketch, David Light, moved from Ohio and located on Sec. 3, Brouillett Township, this county, Sept. 27, 1836; there he had purchased a farm of 310 acres some time prior ; he kept on improv¬ ing and purchasing land until he owned over 1,400 acres at one time. Married Harriet Dickinson Dec. 6, 1821 ; she was born Nov. 20, 1802, in New York, and moved to Ohio in 1816; their children are Charlotte, Benjamin F., Oliver P., Reuben S., Catharine A., Samuel H. and William W. The war record shows that three of his sons enlisted in the late war from this county; Oliver P. (now of Iowa), was Chaplain of a Minnesota regiment. Mrs. Light died Jan. 26, 1873. Married second wife, Rebecca Scott, widow of the late Samuel Scott, Dec. 13, 1874.

SAMUEL MOORE, farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Chrisman; owns 205 acres, valued at $30 per acre ; he was born in this county May 13, 1835. Enlisted in the late war June 1, 1861, in Co. A, 25th I. Y. I. ; he received a wound in the left knee June 18, 1864, at Noonday Creek, Ga., which disabled him for about six months ; at the battle of Stone River, Dec. 30, 1863, he had a narrow escape for his life, when a bullet cut away the back part of his cap, shaving the hair from the scalp at the same time. He married Albertine Camerer Nov. 24, 1864 ; she was born Sept. 13, 1840, in this county ; have five children living - Laura, Emma (deceased), George W., Ida B., Joseph C. and Han¬ nah M. Mr. Moore's grandfather, Wells Morgan, a native of Kentucky, was one of the first settlers of Edgar Co., coming here in 1821 ; he was a soldier under | Gen. Alexander in the Black Hawk war.

O. Ridge Farm ; owns 210 acres, valued $30 per acre ; he was born in Butler Co., Ohio, Nov. 15, 1846, and came to this county with his father's family in 1858, which consisted of parents and five children ; one sister (Phebe) remained in Ohio ; they located in Ross Tp.; had been there only two years when his father died ; they rented farms in the vicinity of Ross Tp. until 1865, at which date his mother pur¬ chased forty acres of the farm now owned by Mr. Haddock, and to which he has since added 170 acres ; his eldest brother, Stephen, went to Colorado in 1865 ; thence to Kansas ; thence to Texas, where he now resides. Mrs. Haddock, Sr., and Lorenzo reside with F. J. ; his younger sister Mary is now Mrs. Lane of Ridge Farm. Mr. Maddock was elected Township Su¬ pervisor in 1877, which office he now holds. Married Miss Ann Scott, Decem¬ ber, 1870 ; she was born Nov. 18, 1849, in this (Prairie) township ; they have one child - Terrence.

P. 0. Ridge Farm ; owns 200 acres, val¬ ued $30 per acre ; he was born Oct. 19, 1827, in Morgan Co., Ya.; emigrated with his parents to Ohio in 1831, spending the early part of his life in Champaign and Logan Cos., until 1855, at which date he removed to Edgar Co., Ill. Married first wife, Sarah Arnold, in Ohio in 1847 ; had five children by this marraige - Matilda, Felix P. and W. W.; two dead, Sarah, died Feb. 6, 1855, and an infant son; Mrs. McGee died April 30, 1857 ; mar¬ ried second wife, Susannah J. Dillon, April 8, 1858 ; two children by second wife - Martha E. and one dead, Mary J., died March 12, 1864; Mrs. McGee, second, died Jan. 2, 1870 ; married third time Nancy A. Byram, 1872 ; she was born in Ross Co., Ohio, Oct. 26, 1836 ; have three children by present wife - John A., Ada Florence and Henry Arthur. Mr. McGee was in the township previous to the township organization and worked arduously to procure said organization ; he was elected to school offices in the town¬ ship at an early date, and was elected Justice of the Peace in 1873 and re¬ elected in 1877, which office he now holds.

born May 30, 1844, in this township, less than a mile north of his present place of business ; during the years of his minority, he was engaged on the farm at home; some time later, he began farming on his own re¬ sponsibility ; at the same time, he was actively engaged in stock dealing and stock raising, and carried on the abovenamed pursuits until April, 1874, at which date he joined his brother (Robert L.) in the mercantile business ; since that time they have enlarged their facilities, and are doing a flourishing and successful business, besides dealing to some extent in live¬ stock. He married Louisba McClure April 25, 1868 ; she was born in Ver¬ milion Co., this State, April 9, 1850 ; they have five children, viz., William, Albert, Owen, Irwin and Samuel.